RAILWAY FOREMAN'S DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1272, 30 October 1911, Page 6

RAILWAY FOREMAN'S DEATH.

(Bj TclezraDh.—Special Correspondent.! Palmerston, October 29. An inquest into the circumstances of the railway trolly accident at Papatawa, between Woodville and Dannevirfte, on Thursday, causing the death of J. F w Nelsou, railway foreman of works, was held at the Palmerston Hospital yesterday before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., coroner. Frederick Charles Widdop, district engineer of railways, Wellington, stated that deceased left Woodville a little after 8.30 a.m. on Thursday on a motor velocipede. The average speed of the motor would not bo more than ten miles an hour. They readied Papatawa about 9.15 a.m., and deceased inquired from the tablet porter whether there were any special or works

trains running, and as to the position of the ordinary train from Oringi. As soon as this train had passed ho (witness) got tho motor ready, and asked Nelson if they had a clear road ahead for Danncvirke. Nelson replied "Yes," and they went on again on an up-grade. When they had gone about 20 or 30 chains witness saw tho front of an engine appear in tho cutting, the engine being then about 1J chains away. Jlo immediately stopped tho spark, and gripped the brake, nt the samo time calling out: "Lcok out ahead! Jump!" Deceased was on the seat in front of witness, and slightly to the left. Witness jumped clear at' the same time turning his back towards tho approaching engine, thinking that he might rcceive a splinter from the machine. Witness thought that from two to three seconds elapsed before he heard the engine strike the motor. Tho train was not under steam, and was not running down the grade at a fast pace. The locomotive, after throwing tho velocipede clean off tho track, was brought to a standstill. Witness did not notice deceased till after tho accident'. The guard then informed him that Nelson was badly hurt. Witness immediately assisted to pick him tip, and ascertain his injuries. Two young men jumped off the (rain and also assisted. Nelson had a severe scalp wound which witness bandaged and his left leg (of which he complained) was provided with a temporary splint. He was then lifted into the van and the train proceeded to -Papatawa. On arrival there a message was telephoned to Woodville for a doctor to meet the t'rain. Dr. Mules arrived about' 20 minutes after and made an examination of deceased find ordered his removal to Palmerston North Hospital, also giving his injuries attention.

To Sub-Inspector Norwood: It was op> ional under tho regulations for tho trot f to run with or without a tablet.

To tho Coroner: Nelson should have known that tho train was on tho line. Witness had left the arranging of the time-table to deceased whom ho know to bo thoroughly competent in that matter. In witness's opinion deceased had overlooked one of the two trains which they were duo to pass. 110 must have thought that' tho train which passed them at Papatawa was Mo. G25, which ran into them later. Witness did all he could to avoid injury to Nelson and himself. Ho thought that Nelson, in jumping oft', tripped over the outrigger. He asked him afterwards if he had stumbled, and Nolson replied that he got his knee twisted on the way to Woodvillc. Nelson added: "1 don't know how I overlooked this train." After other evidence a verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone.