Deaths building Bray Head Railway and diversions

Early image of Bray Head

Two died while working on Bray Head in 1848

On Friday the 10^th of March 1848 two labourers employed on the excavations on the railway line at Bray Head accidently fell over a cliff on Bray Head. One of the men was Thomas Dunne, who was killed instantly, while the other John Crowe died three hours later. AN inquest was held by the County Wicklow Coroner R. Hudson Esq. and a verdict of accidental death was given.

Boy found dead at Bray Head in 1876

In September 1876 a boy named James Kinsella was killed at the Railway tunnel on Bray Head, he was only 14 years of age and a messenger on the railway. James was said to be a nipper or attended the workmen at Bray Head. His body was found on Monday the 11^th of September. He was struck by a train, close to the entrance of a railway tunnel.

1913 accident working on Bray Head railway.

While working on the new diversion of the Dublin and South Eastern railway in 1914 a wagon after unloading its cargo at the site of the works struck two of the labourers working on the railway. One of the workers escaped with bruises, though the second man a Daniel Kelly was severely injured, and was brought to Bray where he died. Daniel was married and was only 38 years of age, when he died on the 14^th of February 1914.

Worker dies at Bray Head Railway 1916

In January 1916 an inquest was held at Windgates close to Bray Head regarding the death of Thomas Hempenstall who was killed while working on the new tunnel on Bray Head. Hempenstall was knocked down by a wagon and died instantly. Thomas was the son of Charles Hempenstall and Mary nee Hoey and was only 19 years of age. Charles was a railway Porter and residing at Redford. Thomas was employed as a driver of a horse and carriage, used to bring in materials to the works.