The Preston Herald reported that "Early on Thursday morning a railway signalman, named John Mann, who resided at Long Barn Bridge Hoghton, was found dead on the railway line between Hoghton and Pleasington, near to the arches over the river Darwen. The deceased been engaged as a signalman on the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway, at Pleasington station, and went to his work about 5 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday last. He should have been relieved about three o'clock in the afternoon, but consequence of no one taking his place he remained on duty till about half past eleven at night, in he signalled the man on duty at Hoghton station, and put the switch on, as no one remained in the Pleasington cabin during the night. It is supposed that he then proceeded to walk along the railway towards his home at Hoghton, and was caught by a train coming from Blackburn to Preston, knocked down and killed. About five o'clock on Thursday night the deceased's son, William Mann, walked along the line in the direction of Pleasington in search of his father and found his dead body lying on some sleepers, by the side of the line about four from the metals. His head and face were very cut and smashed, and his right arm was broken. The body was at once removed to Hoghton. An inquest will be held today (Saturday)."

Preston Herald 25th August 1888, p2

Pleasington, the site of the fatality, and Accrington, the home of the author, were both on the Lancashire and Yorkshire line. The towns are only 12 miles apart so it is likely that victim and poet knew of each other.

The accident was reported in the Preston Herald 25th August 1888, p2

Laborare Est Ovare translates as "to work is to pray". It from the rule of St Benedict

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pray_and_work (accessed 14Feb21)