TRAGIC AFFAIR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1488, 10 July 1912, Page 4

TRAGIC AFFAIR.

ON BAIL WAX NEAR THE CITY,

A shocking event oocurrod on the Manawatu railway lino just abovo the Hutt Road, on tlio town side of tho first tunnel, between Wellington and Ngaio, at 2.30 p.m. yesterday, resulting in the death of a iniddlo-agcd man named William Robert Prior, who resided at 28 Dixon Street, and worked as a labourer on the wharf.

It appears that a train from Jolmsonvillo was descending tho incline at tho rear of tho Vacuum Oil Oo.'s stores when, it ran over a man who was lying on the rails.

Tho statement of the engine-driver (— Pearce) to tho Railway Department, was to tho effect that as tho train npproacliod tho spot, tho man, who was standing beside tho track, suddenly throw himself across the rails. Ho (tho drivor) prompt ly applied tho brakes, but before the train could bo stopped the fate of tho unfortunnto man was sealed. It appeared like a case of deliberate suicide.

As far as is known. Prior is a singlo man. A sum of 7s. fid. in cash, and a bank-hook showing ,£2 3s. to his credit in tho P.O. Savings Bank, was found in tlio clothing. Ho was a member of the Waterside Workers' Union.

When ho first saw tho man, tho engine* driver thought that ho was the perman-ent-way inspector, and was walking along the track.

Tho body was conveyed to tho morgue, where an inquest will probably bo held today.