WILLIAM SELWYN

FATALITY AT SAW MILL

CAUGHT IN THE MACHINERY AND WHIRLED TO DEATH

A shocking fatality occurred at Ham Saw-mills on Tuesday afternoon, when the owner, Mr. William Selwyn, aged 60, by some means caught in the shafting and killed. The mills are situate on the London-road, just over the borough boundary, and were worked by the owner, his son and two other men.

On Tuesday afternoon they were all engaged in separate parts of the premises, Mr. Selwyn and his son being on the top floor, but not working together. About half-past four a succession of bumps was heard on the floor, and the son, William, ran to stop the water-wheel, which was the rule on any occasion when any mishap was feared; but this step had already been taken by William Quelch, the sawyer. They ran together to find out what had happened, and saw Mr. Selwyn lying on the floor underneath the shafting. They got him out, and found him to have sustained terrible injuries to his head, both legs being broken. It was too apparent what had been the cause of the accident. The jacket and waistcoat had been torn from the body, clearly indicating that the deceased had been caught in the belting and whirled round the pulley. This accounted for the noises of thumping which had called attention of the other men. No one actually saw what happened. Possibly the deceased was putting the belt on the pulley, or had a fit, to which he was subject, and fell into the machinery. Dr Parsons was summoned, but medical aid was then of no avail.

The inquest will be held to-morrow (Friday). The tragic event has caused great sorrow in the neighbourhood, where Mr. Selwyn was much respected, and also among the members of Newbury Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon, and where the family were regular worshippers.

The funeral takes place on Saturday, the first part of the service being held at the Baptist Church at 1.30 p.m.

Newbury Weekly News 12 December 1912

Mrs P. p 152 L S(H) 48

Died 10 December 1912.

Buried 14 December 1912. Book 1899 p. 236 no.9088

Also note Wife Eliza Eglinton Selwyn died 13 January 1936 aged 81 at Hemel Hempstead.

INQUEST INTO DEATH OF WILLIAM SELWYN

Full report in Newbury Weekly News 19 December 1912

In summary:

Verdict: “Mr Selwyn apparently went to take a belt of a large pulley while it was in motion. There was a key protruding from the pulley, and it seems as if the clothing of the deceased was caught in this, and he was whirled round and round inflicting a fractured skull and other terrible injuries, causing practically instantaneous death.”

He was insured against accidents for £1,000.

He leaves a son and two daughters. The son, William Selwyn, will continue with the business.

Mr Selwyn was a Deacon of the Newbury Baptist Church.