Sunstroke, James Woodman, Heston, Lancashire, England, 1873

DEATH FROM SUNSTROKE AT HEATON

During the intense heat of Tuesday, a stonemason, at Heaton, named James Woodman, was struck down by sunstroke whilst working in a hay field at Heston, about four o'clock in the afternoon, and died from the effects about four hours afterwards. He had been at work from seven o'clock in the mornng until four o'clock in the afternoon, when he suddenly left off his work, whilst loading the cart, saying he was so weak he could do no more. He then walked away about a hundred yards, when he fell down, and never afterwards spoke. The following was the evidence adduced at the inquest, which was held before Mr. Holden, at Heaton, Thursday:

James Lamb, of Heaton, farm labourer, said: Deceased was a farm labourer with Thomas Taylor, and on Tuesday last we were working together in the hay field. We were alone, and about four o'clock in the afternoon I noticed something was the matter with him. We were loading the cart, and he said he was so weak he could do no more. He then walked away from me with the fork in his hand; and when he had got about a hundred yards I saw him fall on his back. he never spoke again. I came home for help, and did not go back because another cart was going with other men to the field. I went for the doctor. We had been working in the hay field together from seven o'clock in the morning. He had only a soft cloth cap on all day. He never complained of any pain until he had told me he could work no more.

James Metcalfe, of Heaton, farm labourer, said: I was in the same field with deceased part of the day on Tuesday. When Lamb came to say he was ill I went with the horse and cart to the field. I found him lying on his back, and when I asked him if he was "badly" he took not the slightest notice of me. His eyes were closed, and he was unable to speak. His breathing was heavy. We got him into the cart and brought him home. I went over to Overton for his brother, and did not see him again alive.

George Taylor, of Heaton, farmer, said: I was at work with the deceased nearly all the day on Tuesday. He never complained of anything, but said he was better than he had been. I was with him when he died, about eight o'clock. He never spoke after he came into the house.

John Woodman, of Overton, mason, said: Deceased was my brother. He was 54 years of age and a stonemason by trade. I saw him on Saturday, and he was then quite well. I have never known him to ail anything.

The jury returned a verdict that "Deceased had died suddenly from sunstroke."

Lancaster Gazette, Saturday, 26 Jul 1873, page 5