Emily: A secret family tragedy made me cry

Relative took own life after accident

- NICOLA METHVEN

EMILY Atack was moved to tears as she discovered that her great-great-grandfather took his own life aged just 33 in the wake of a tragedy.

The Inbetweeners star is told that in 1886, Joseph Atack was in charge of the safe movement of miners at a colliery when a man aged 36 was crushed and dragged by the cage used to transport the men deep underground.

A verdict of "accidental killing" was recorded and a probe found the victim had "jumped on the cage", putting his own life at risk.

But three years after the accident, seemingly tormented by what had happened, Joseph jumped into a local river and drowned, leaving his wife, also named Emily, to care for five children.