On Thursday 30 August 1888 a railway labourer Mr George Chilwell aged 36 of Boroughbridge was killed whilst excavating in a cutting near a newly constructed bridge between Bawdrip and Cossington during the construction of the Bridgwater Branch Railway. He was one of a gang engaged in loosening earth and filling a “dobbin” cart with it. A quantity of gravel fell on him and his skull was fractured when he collided with the cart.

The inquest at the Knowle Inn recorded a verdict of accidental death. His fellow workmen and the contractors collected for his widow and paid the funeral expenses.