Sussex Advertiser - Monday 15 June 1840

CUCKFIELD.

Fatal Accident.—An inquest was held on Saturday last, the 13th instant, before F. H. Gell, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of William Pendel, aged 15 years, a brick layer's labourer, employed upon the viaduct in Cuckfield and Balcombe, the Brighton railway.

It appeared from the evidence that, on Thursday last, about two o'clock, deceased was at No. 11 pier of the viaduct walking along a plank, upon the scaffolding, which suddenly slipped and he fell a distance of about 20 feet.

He came upon a grout box which stood underneath, and was immediately carried to his lodgings, where, from the injuries received, he died about five o'clock the same afternoon.—

Verdict “Accidental death."