"Accidental Death" Verdict at Inquest

An inquest was held at Paddington yesterday on Mrs Sarah Eleanor Smith (69), widow of Captain E. J. Smith, who commanded the ill-fated liner Titanic at the time of the disaster.

Mrs Smith was knocked down by a taxi in Cromwell Road, Kensington, last Sunday afternoon, and died in hospital on Tuesday from a fractured skull.

Evidence was given that Mrs Smith was crossing the road holding up an umbrella, as it was raining hard. The driver of the taxi estimated his speed at four to five miles an hour. He said that Mrs Smith was crossing with her back partly turned towards him and although he sounded his horn and shouted, she crossed in front of his cab and was struck by the front wheel.

It was stated by a solicitor representing the family that Mrs Smith was practically blind in the left eye.

Returning a verdict of "Accidental death, " the jury exonerated the driver from blame.