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LATHEY
Percy Lathey
St Olave's Cemetery Don Devonport
Shocking Accident at Devonport
At 1.30 yesterday afternoon, Percy Lathey, aged 22, living at Harold Street, was the victim of a terrible catastrophe, while engaged in adjusting a portion of the machinery at the North-Western Roller Mills, West Devonport. From the particulars gathered a few minutes later, it appears that the unfortunate fellow slipped while endeavouring to fix a pulley, and, in falling, threw his arms across the driving gear, and was instantly caught and whirled round at a terrific pace. There was no assistance immediately at hand, although a fellow employee arrived shortly afterwards, and Lathey was smashed against a heavy wooden beam with fearful force, while nearly every stitch of clothing was torn from him, and the gear bespattered with blood and flesh. With all promptitude the machinery was stopped, and the victim of the disaster lifted down, and placed on the floor of the timber cutting shed, where willing hands were quickly at work endeavoring to succour him. He presented a terrible spectacle, one arm hanging helplessly at his side, blood flowing freely from numerous ghastly wounds, and one of his legs appearing to be hanging on by a mere segment of flesh. Dr. Payne was quickly in attendance, and administered restoratives to the unconscious man, and, as well as he could, placed the injured limbs in splints and bandages. Mr. Lathey was senseless only a few minutes, and during the doctor’s operations repeatedly expressed the belief that his arm was off; but an examination showed that the leg had suffered the most serious injury. Dr. Payne stated that the right arm had been fractured in four places, the left leg had sustained a compound fracture; the right foot was also badly fractured, and the right leg bore an incised wound fully 7 inches in length, and it was feared that amputation would be necessary. Mr. Lathey (who is a son of Mr. J. Lathey, of Steele Street, West Devonport) is a married man, and was conveyed to his home, where chloroform was administered by Dr. Smith, and a more critical examination made of the victim’s condition. The latest information obtainable last night from the medical gentleman, above-named, was that their patient had passed satisfactorily through the chloroform operation, and, so far, amputation of the leg had not been considered necessary. The examination showed that the most serious injury was to one foot, which had been crushed to such a fearful extent that no attempt could be made to place the fractured bones in position, and there is a strong probability of it being permanently disabled. A large bone in the other leg, which had been broken and thrust out of position, was replaced, and set in splints, the arm being similarly attended to, and the greatest fear at present is from the shock to the system, which, however, cannot be diagnosed for a few days; but, as Mr. Lathey has a magnificent constitution, there is hope for his ultimate recovery.
The North West Post 7th December 1901
Late last night Mr. Percy Lathey, the unfortunate victim of the accident at the North-Western Roller Mills at Devonport, was said to be gradually sinking, and, although he may possibly linger for some time, no hopes are held out of his recovery. He has passed fairly easy nights, owing to the careful attention of Dr. Payne and his relatives and friends, but on Sunday became light in the head, uttering remarks which showed that he thought he was at work in the mill. But the most serious phase of his condition is that mortification has commenced in the right foot, and it is a question if he would be able to stand the shock of an operation.
Great sympathy is felt for the young wife, who is in delicate health, for it seems to be only a question of hours when she will become a widow.
The North West Post 10th December 1901
Mr. Percy Lathey, the victim of the recent accident at the North-Western Flour Mills, succumbed to his injuries early yesterday afternoon. As we intimated in our last issue, Mr. Lathey had been gradually weakening for the past two days, and, although an operation for the amputation of one foot seemed necessary, his medical attendants, Drs. Payne and Smith, were doubtful as to his being able to withstand the shock, and about 1.30 yesterday afternoon he breathed his last, in the presence of sorrowing friends and relatives, the immediate cause of death, it is understood being gangrene. An inquest will be held at 11.30 this morning at Lane’s Hotel, and the funeral will leave the late residence of the deceased, Harold Street, West Devonport, for the Don Cemetery, at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
The North West Post 12th December 1901
Shortly after 3 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, the funeral cortege of the late Mr. Percy Lathey
set out for the Don, from his residence in Harold Street, the high estimation in which the deceased was held
being abundantly testified to by the long string of vehicles, which followed the hearse. At the graveside
in St. Olaves Churchyard, the Rev. J. K. Wilmer conducted an impressive service, and numerous fine wreaths
of immortelles, which had been taken to the house by several young ladies during the day, covered the coffin,
similar token of grief and regret being placed on the grave ewhen the mournful ceremony was concluded.
In another coloumn the relatives of the deceased thanked all those who have expressed sympathy with them
in their bereavement.
The North West Post 14th December 1901