Coroner Recommends Arms At Crossing

Press, Volume C, Issue 29507, 8 May 1961, Page 14

Coroner Recommends Arms At Crossing

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 7.

A recommendation that the Railways Department should proceed as soon as possible with the installation of barrier arms protecting the level crossing south of Porirua where two deaths occurred In one week recently was made by the Coroner (Mr A. G. Keesing) at inquests into the two deaths on Friday.

The formal verdicts returned were that Edward Cyril Butler, aged 48. of Porirua East, died of multiple Injuries on February 24 and Linda Lamond, wife of Mr R. J. Lamond, of Porirua East, died of multiple injuries on March 2 the injuries in both cases being suffered when the vehicles the deceased were driving were struck by north-bound railway engines The Coroner found in both cases that no blame whatever could be attached to the railway drivers. On both occasions they had sounded their warning devices and. an addition, the warning bells and flashing lights on the level crossing itself were working. In spite of these factors the accidents had still happened, said the Coroner. Two similar accidents had occurred recently in the Hutt Valley on different crossings when people were killed crossing the tracks while the lights and bells were operating. The Coroner said he had personally inspected the crossing just south of Pori-

rua where Mrs Lamond and Mr Butler both suffered fatal injuries in the same week. He considered it no more dangerous than most double track level crossings. Nevertheless these accidents had happened and he felt he should recommend, as Coroner, that the installation of barrier arms be proceeded with as soon as practicably possible. Mr W. R. Birks, representing the Railways Department, said he would convey the Coroner’s recommendation to the department.