A SHUNTER'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18405, 11 June 1925, Page 13

A SHUNTER'S DEATH.

DANGERS OF RAILWAY YARDS

(PRES? ASSOCIATION TXLMRJIM.) PAI.UKRSTOX KORTH, June 10.

At the Coroner's enquiry into the death of Deni3 Murphy, a shunter, who was killed by being ran over by trucks at the local railway vards early en the morning of June 3rd, the evidence ?howed that' Murphy, cfter making up the train tor Paekakariki, walked on to the platform, then crossed in front of the engine of a tiain v.-hich had bean blowing off steam. He proceeded to cro.-s the second set of rails. A line of trunks on these mils knocked him down. Thirt-cn wageonn passed over Murphy, whese body was frightfully injured. An employee rhouted a warning. Tho blowing-ofi of *{eam was responsible for Murphy not seeing the trucks. In rcplv to the Coroner, Mr Volts, a representative of the Railway Department, said the blowing-Gff of steun cculd not be eliminated. The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. He said that in view of the dangerous nature of the -work the men had to perform, and tho risks they took, the Department fcbemid do eomethinsr to relieve the congestion in the yards. The lightmg also of tho yards was not sufficient. Regarding the blowing-cff of steam the Department 'i.ic/ht look into the mat'er. and fp<\ wholhevjt was possible to minimise the danger.