Taken from a local paper.
An inquest was held last Monday (May 29, 1865) at Lambourne, before the Berkshire coroner (Mr W D Wasborough), on the body of Thomas Atwood, aged 16, a stable lad, in the employ of Mr Archer, a trainer.
It appeared from the evidence of the head lad that the deceased had started on Saturday, wrapped in flannels and a great-coat, for a sweat, as he was to ride at Harpenden Races, and wanted to pull off 5 lb weight; he walked about two miles, and then fell down, when some man coming by advised that the clothes should be taken off him, or he would die.
They then undressed him on the Downs, rubbed him dry, covered him over with the clothes and wrappers, and went to Ashdown Park for assistance.
Mr. Clarke, of Lambourne, stated that he drove to the spot where deceased was lying, and took him some brandy and some water, but that the jaw of the deceased was almost fixed and his eyes closed, and that he was obliged to force open the mouth to administer the stimulant.
Deceased was then put to bed and attended by Mr Kennard and his son, but he never rallied, and died the same night (Saturday 27 May) at about 10 o'clock.
The cause of death, as stated by Mr Kennard, was effusion on the brain produced by the heat of the weather and over exertion.
