FATAL ACCIDENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 937, 8 May 1883, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT.

When this morning’s train from Timaru was .about a mile and a-half north of the Hinds station, an accident occurred which resulted fatally to the fireman. From what we have been able to gather it appears that at the spot indicated the couplings which unite the tender with the engine broke, and the unfortunate man, who was engaged in firing at the time, tell through, the carriages passing over the body. It is stated that the engine went off the line, but the system which prevails in the railway department prevents us obtaining any definite information on that point. News of the accident was telegraphed to Ashburton, and Constable Smart was immediately dispatched to the scene, on board an engine which brought the train here and took it on to Christchurch. Cn the arrival of the train at Ashburton at 1.15, the body was conveyed to Quill’s Hotel, where an inquest will be held to-morrow. To all appearances, death must have been instantaneous, the neck being broken, and one of the arms, and one of the feet being cut off, while the body is otherwise mangled. The deceased was evidently a man of about twenty-five years of age, ; his name is Samuel Chesson ; and, we believe, he belongs to Timaru. It was reported that Bowles,hhe engine driver, was also injured, but, this proved to be incorrect. He was left at the Hinds station, and came on soon after.