Event Date : Saturday, August 25, 1962
Event Type : Death
Description : About 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, August 25, little Peter Langford, nine years old last month, was struck by a car while he was walking several feet off the paved section of Highway 88, when returning from the home of his grandparents to his own home, two farms distant, and was instantly killed. Peter was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Langford, R.R 1, Bradford. The tragedy occurred in front of the Smelser farm, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. James McClocklin, and the only farm between the Langford farms, and opposite the home of Mr. Milton Ritchie. These neighbours rushed to the scene, but nothing could be done for little Peter. A few minutes later, Mrs. Langford, driving into town, came on the accident. The Provincial Police were busy investigating. Horrified, she recognized her little boy. Somehow she managed to turn her car and take the pitiful news home to her husband and the older brother.Keith and Ella Langford had three sons, William (Billie), who is 10; Peter was 9 in July, and Donnie is 4. Peter was the ever-on-the-go, little farmer of the family. He went to school happily and liked his teachers and his playmates, but he was the first up in the morning lest he would miss any possible farm activities around the barn before going to school, and farm stock and machinery were his delight. He had a bicycle but was not permitted to ride it on the highway because of the danger. Saturday afternoon he had his own little errand to his grandparents' home and was returning evidently walking where he should have been safe, when he was killed.Peter had sweet little ways and everyone loved him. At home he was the constant companion of his father, having almost adult intelligence and knowledge regarding farm work and business.According to the police the driver of the car which struck and killed little Peter Langford was Nick Pocius,
Lot 4,
Concession 2, West Gwillimbury Township, R.R. 2, Tottenham. He was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with criminal negligence, dangerous driving, drunk driving, careless driving and having liquor in a place other than his residence.The accident was investigated by O.P.P. John C. Perkins assisted by O.P.P. A. J. Mason of the Bradford O.P.P. Detachment.The funeral was held yesterday afternoon in Bradford United Church and interment was in Bond Head Cemetery. Rev. F. G. MacTavish conducted the funeral services.The pallbearers were five uncles of little Peter, Stewart Langford, George Hawley, Alvin Hawley, Ira Hawley, Lloyd Hawley, and Ian Porter.The flower bearers were school classmates of Peter.The fact that the attendance at the funeral of this little child was one of the largest seen in Bradford in many years indicated how deeply the entire community was touched by the tragedy.
