IN the Memories section of The Northern Echo last weekend the front page of the same paper from July 1935 was naturally dominated by a report on the opening of Newcastle “aerodrome” but a smaller article provides a glimpse of life before the NHS.
A young man had died after an accident near Stanley when his bicycle was in a collision with a car. The report mentions damage to the car and that the cyclist suffered multiple injuries, a fractured spine and died half an hour after being taken home by ambulance.
Taken home? What did the ambulance men say to the family: “We’ve got your son in the back, or what’s left of him?”
What would they have done if no one had been at home, propped him up in the outside loo or left him next door?
VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here