A FATAL JUMP
Evidence that a schoolmaster jumped from a platform at Reading Station, presumably to recover something he had dropped on the line, and was killed by an express train, was given at the inquest on Mr. Robert Bricknell Whicker, aged 66, of Farnborough School, Sonning.
It was stated that Mr. Whicker, who was deaf and short-sighted, had on him jottings of Latin verse which he had been translating to while away the time on the journey.
Percival Purdy, a porter, stated thati just before the train entered, Mr. Whicker put down his coat on the platform, and, resting his hand on the edge, jumped down.
"My impression," he added, "was that his action was deliberate, and that he got down to recover something he had dropped. Three coins were later found on the line."
The Coroner pointed out that there was nothing to suggest that Mr. Whicker intended taking his life, and the jury returned a verdict of "Death by misadventure."
A FATAL JUMP
Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 115, 11 November 1935, Page 5
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