DYING MAN'S ALLEGATION

Chronicle (Levin), 4 February 1949, Page 4

DYING MAN'S ALLEGATION

$ ' - • Press AssQQiatiovJ

Fell From Train While • Resisting Robber

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WANGANUI,. Feb. 4. Before Reginald Moffitt, Air Department gardener at Te Rapa, f'eli from a moving express train near Rangataua on Saturday an attempt was made to. rob him, accordmg to an allegation he made in the Wangamfi Hospital before he ,• died on Monday evening. Mr. Moffitt, who suffered major spinal injuries, lay beside the track for 17 hours before he was discovered. Mr. Moffitt alleged that earlier in the journey he was approached by a man who sought a loan, which was refuse'd. Whecn the train was approaching Rangataua, Mr. Mof-\" fitt, who was ohe armed, asked a ) fellow passenger to open the carriage door for him and this was done. Mr. Moffitt alleged that while he was standing near the open door the man who had asked him for the loan attempted to rob him, and that he fell from the train while resisting. A fellow passenger later tol'd railway officials that Mr. Moffitt was missing and he was found beside tHe line on Sunday aftemoon.* The man who sought the loan was seen looking into the particular carriage at the next station. A roll of notes in Mr. Moffitt's pockets when he was found indicated tljat the robbery attempt had been unsuccessful. The police, who took the statement from Mr. Moffitt, are now making widespread inquiries.