TRENTHAM FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1036, 27 January 1911, Page 6

TRENTHAM FATALITY.

THE INQUEST, EVIDENCE OF EAILWAY MEN. At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, tho city coroner (Dr. .A. M'Arthur, S.M.) held an inquest touching tho death of Horatio H. Lyon, who was killed by a railway train at Trenlham on Wednesday afternoon. Station-Ser-geant Darby represented the police, and Mr. 11. 11. Ostler appeared for the Eailway Department. ~ James Boyle, engine-driver in the employ of the New Zealand Eaihvays, said ho was on the engine of the train arriving at Trentham at 3.35 p.m. ,on Wednesday. When approaching Trentham Station tho line was clear. When very eloso to tho station witness noticed a man (deceased) come across tho lino from the racecourso side towards tho main line. The man had two sticks, and when first,witness noticed him the train would be two or "three chains distant. When it was seen that the man was going to cross the line", witness blew the whistle, and applied, tho emergency biake. It was impossible to do any more. Wnon tho whistle blew, tho deceased hesitated, and looked round twice. That was _ the last witness saw of him alive. There was not tho least sign of the engine striking him. . In answer to Mr. Ostler, witness said that the train was about ten yards from deceased when the whistle blew. The train. went about 5!-.. yards after tho brakes were" applied." It was pulled up in tho quickest time. - James Martin, fireman on tho same train as. the preceding witness, said that from his side (the left) of the train ho could see no one on the lino as- they approached Trentham. But when right in.tho station wtincss. saw, a man thrown from the front'of the engine on to the edge of the platform. Previous to that tho whistle had gone and tho brakes had been applied. Richard John M'llvride, electrical fitter in the Now Zealand Railways,, was in the guard's van of tho train arriving at Trentham at 3.35 p.m. on Wednesday. Approaching the station witness felt the brakes applied, and on looking ahead saw' deceased rolling along by >"ho edge of the engine. Sir. Dawson was bondingover him with hands outstretched, apparently trying to assist hini. The deceased's body then disappeared under the train.'•-When tho train "stepped, witness helped to get. tho body, from under-the tram.

In answer to a question by Mr. Ostler; witness said he did. not think >ho .tuiin could have been pulled up quicker than it was. . .

Edward Alexander Dawson, Traffic Inspector of Railways, stated that he was in charge at T-rentham' Station on Wednesday. About 3.30 p.m., Mr. Lyon camo to-witness's .office and said he was very tired, and feeling ill. Witness invited him- to sit down, and in answer to a question told him- that the first train did not leave for ''Wellington until 5.5 p.m.| but by going to the Upper Hutt by a train, which was coming along in a few minutes, he could.join the i p.m. train for Wellington. The smoke of the train was then showing at Silvcrstream. Witness got the tablet, and then assisted Mr. Lyon from the .platform down on to the rails of the racecourse siding. Witness told him he must not cross until tho train arrived, when he was to go round the end of the van. Deceased said "All right," and witness left him standing there, went across the front of the approaching train, (then about 400 yards away), set.,tlie 'automatic -exchanger; Up to that; witness's back was towards the line, but in bringing the arm of the'exchanger round! Witness saw that deceased was iiv the act of crossing, the main line, with - the train between' 50 and 20 yards distant. Witness then heard the whistle of the train blow end the- We.«tinghouse emergency brake being applied. Deceased had one' foot on Hie. platform just where it begins to rise, but the engine caught the other .foot or else deceased's walking-stick. Witness was four feet awav at the time.' and tried to .assist him, but los't. liis'"li6ld -&f>'hinT'' and -fell back; " The body was caught between the platform , and. the engine, and fell' under the carriage. Death must.havo beeninstaiitniieous. There was no sound..

To Mr. Ostler: Witness said that Mr. Lyon wos verging on 60 years of aero, and; was feeble and lame. Witness had assisted him in an exactly similar mannci on the previous race day. As an officio', of thirty years' experience, witness was sure'no blame was nttaeliablo to anyone for the accident. Any fraction of a second 'would have taken the deceased clear of the _ accident, another .throo inches and his foot .would no£ have been caught.

Mr. Ostler ; hero said he would like to mention that. JMr> Dawson had iromvto try and save" Mr. Lyon at considerable .risk to! his own. life, and though he had vnrleefly madernn mention of it: it was a fact that lie lmcl l;»en verv near to death. . A verdict of accidental death was returned.