Fell on a stone floor

Melancholy Death of Dr. Vance. - We regret to state that Mr. Vance, the surgeon, of Sackville-street, Piccadilly, expired on Monday night about 12 o'clock, in consequence of the severe injuries he received a few days back, by being violently hurled down a staircase by Mr. Broadley, a maniac, on whom he had been professionally attending. He fell on a stone floor, and his skull was so severely fractured, that recovery was deemed hopeless from the moment the accident happened.

This day a highly respectable jury was empannelled before Mr. Gell, at the Sadlers' Arms, Swallow-street, to investigate the circumstances attending this melancholy event. The jury having been sworn, accompanied the coroner to view the body, which lay in a room at his late residence, No. 27, Sackville-street. On their return, the following evidence was taken:-

Thomas Willis, Esq., M.D., examined: He has known the deceased many years. On Wednesday, the 22nd ult., between eight and nine o'clock in the morning, he attended the deceased by his own request, at his residence in Sackville-street. On seeing witness, the deceased informed him that he had received a severe injury on his head from a fall. Witness examined the injured part, and found the integument of the forehead divided, to the extent of about three inches, and of a circular form. The bone beneath was exposed. There was no appearance of fracture at the seat of the injury, nor any indication of a fracture of any other portion of the skull. He was attended, previous to witness, by Mr. Earle, who had accompanied the deceased from the house where the accident happened to his own home.

On Friday, Drs. Brodie and Antrum were requested to join in a consultation. From the second day following the accident, his case became desperate, and erisypelas of the head and face ensued, attended by symptoms of inflammation of the brain and effusion on the brain, He gradually got worse, and died about half past 11 on Monday night.

- By the Coroner. Did he acquaint you with the circumstances which led to the fall? - Witness: He did. He stated, that he was professionally attending a Mr. Charles Broadley, at No. 75, Lower Grosvenor-street, who was insane; that on Monday night, the night previous, he was about to visit Mr. Broadley, who was in his bed room, in the two pair, when while he was ascending the last flight, Mr. Broadley rushed against him in his progress down stairs. The collision was so violent, that he, the deceased was forced down to the bottom of the stairs, and was in a moment deprived of consciousness.

- By the Jury: The deceased's impression was, that he was taken hold of by the collar of the coat. He believed, that the act was not premeditated.

Witness attended Mr. Broadley professionally two months ago, when he then appeared not of sound mind.

Mr. R. Vance, sent a written statement, which added, that when his unfortunate brother fell, his head came in contact with the sill of the window, and that he afterwards fell among some earthen flower pots. On becoming sensible, he said he felt like a dying man, and he was sure he would never recover.

A gentleman here stated, that in about three hours after the accident, Mr. Broadley observed, that he was aware he had knocked down Dr. Vance, and that he was sorry he had hurt him.

Mr. Isaac Willis, No. 75, Lower Grosvenor-street, said, that Mr. Broadley had lodged with him seven years. He always appeared eccentric; but witness did not think him insane.  I never heard till after the accident that he had been in a lunatic institution. After the keeper left him on Tuesday morning, he was more calm. He has estates in Yorkshire, and is a single man. His sister has been on a visit to him about two months. Mr. Broadley is now under the care of Dr. Sutherland, at Blackland House, Chelsea.

A servant to the last witness said, that when Dr. Vance came, he went up to the bed room of Mr. Broadley, and left the door open. Three police constables were obtained from the station house, when the door was broken open, where Mr. Broadley had escaped, and a strait waistcoat was put upon him.

Verdict:- "The Jury find that the deceased came to his death by a fall occasioned by coming in contact with Mr. Charles Broadley, who was at the time in a state of insanity; and the Jury are of opinion that the said Mr. Charles Broadley should not in future be suffered to be at large."