Farm Fatalities, Accidents, Riding Deaths 1855 -1980
1855 Death Through Goring - St Germains
DIED. On the 4th inst, at St. Germains, Western Port, after an illness of one week, occasioned by being gored with a bullock, Quinten Dick, of Flemington, leaving a widow and family to mourn their sudden loss.
The Argus, 5 May 1855 |
St Germains, was owned by Alexander Patterson, a pastoral pioneer in Clyde .
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1867 Horse Riding Accident
An accident of a very serious nature happened on Sunday last to a young man named William Ridgway. He was proceeding on horseback to church, at the Clyde, just after dusk, when the horse stumbled over a calf lying in the road, and threw his rider with violence over his head, falling on him and striking him in the stomach. It is feared the accident will prove fatal.
The Argus, 13 March 1867 |
Mr. Candler held an inquest yesterday, at Clyde, on the body of a young man named William Ridgway, the son of a farmer living at Clyde. The deceased was galloping along a road when his horse was thrown by a calf which was in his way. The horse fell, with the deceased under it. He never moved nor spoke after the fall, and died on Monday night. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from internal injuries, received by his horse falling upon him.
The Argus, 14 March 1867 |
William Ridgway, aged 19, in this sad incident, was the son of William Snr and Ann Ridgway. William Ridgway Snr was the older brother of Anthony Ridgway.
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1867 Lineham Accident |
 Steelyard for weighing bags of grain. Source: Wikipedia |
Linehams lived on the corner of Clyde-Fiveways Road and Patterson Road, The Lineham Reserve is name after this family. The Linehams were early settlers in Clyde.
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1925 Brunt - Tree Cutting Accident
CLYDE-Mr A Brunt, of Clyde and Cranbourne was standing on a pine tree which had been uprooted and was cutting it in half. As soon as the trunk of the tree had been cut through, the bottom portion, which had several tons of earth adhering to its roots, suddenly returned to the upright position, throwing Mr Brunt, who was standing on that part of the trunk. He was found later in a serious condition and was taken to the hospital.
The Argus, 17 October 1925 |
1926 Paralysed by his own Pea-Rifle
Charles Hook shot by his own pea-rifle
CLYDE- On returning home from the Cranbourne market, Mr. George Hook found his eldest son, Charles, aged 17 years, lying near the back door. The youth had been shot through the abdomen. A pea-rifle was found on the ground by his side. He was removed to the Dandenong Hospital, where an operation was performed, but no trace of the bullet could be found. His condition is serious.
The Argus, Friday 19 March 1926 |
1927 Death of Charles Hook result of accident
Charles Reeves Hook, aged 19 years, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hook, of Clyde, died on Sunday as the result of gunshot wounds received l8 months ago. The gun he was carrying accidentally discharged, the shot lodging in his spine, causing paralysis.
The Argus, Wednesday 24 August 1927 |
Charles Reeve Hook was the grandson of Mr Isaac Hook, one of the pastoral pioneers of Clyde.
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1935 Farmer Injured in Car Accident
CRANBOURNE, Friday. - Mr. W. Hardy, farmer, of Clyde North, received severe injuries to his spine when the wheels of a motor-car in which he was a passenger, bumped in a hole on the road. Mr. Hardy was thrown with force against the inside of the car. He was taken to a private hospital in Melbourne.
The Argus,Saturday 24 August 1935 |
William Hardy met with a car accident in 1935 which left him partially crippled until his death in 1941. (Perce Hardy’s notes) William Hardy was the youngest son of Embling Hardy, one of the first pastoral pioneers of Clyde.
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1936 Farmer Drowned in Well
CLYDE, Sunday.-Mr. George Funston, aged 76 years, farmer, was drowned in a well on his property yesterday. He went to the well to see how much water it contained, and it is believed that when looking in he overbalanced. His body was recovered some time later. He leaves a widow and one son and one daughter
The Argus, 16 March, 1936 p10 |
Some further details
Mr Funston lived in Tucker’s Road. His daughter, Elsie Funston married next door neighbour Ray Thomas and took up residence in Ballarto Road. Both the Funstons and the George Thomas family, both of Tuckers Road had strong links to the Methodist Church in Clyde.