FATAL ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 4

FATAL ACCIDENTS

MAN KILLED ON THE KELBURN TRAMLINE. A rcgrettablo accident of a fatal character occurred on the IvelburnKarori Tramway Company's cable line at 2.40 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It is the custom of the company to have the wliolo of its track carefully examined, and, if necessary, repaired, once a year. For some years past a man named John Wattors, a platelayer by calling, has been employed off and on to do this. work. With another workman he was engaged repairill" tho lino on tho south side of tho Tulavcra Terrace section of the lino below tho stopping-place. AVatters was on his knees at work, when an up car emerged from the tunnel. Tho bell was rung as usual, and AVatters got up, but before he could clear tho line he was knocked over by the car. He was dragged along by tho side-step of the car for about twenty-seven feet, before tho car could be pulled up. Death was probably caused by shock and internal injuries.

A woman passenger, who was on the front of the up-bound car, said that she saw the man on his knees on the track as the car emerged from the lowest tunnel, and it occurred to kolas the man slowly rose and straightened himself that iie would find it difficult to clear the track. It appeared to her that he was knocked over by the front part of the car just as he was stepping clear, knocked down, ,v"! dragged along by the front end of the side-step. Walters, who was generally employed by the Harbour Board, and whose services were loaned to the company, was a married man. about 6-5 years of age. He resided at Coromandel Street. LITTLE BOY KILLED. A lad named Gilbert Johnston, ciglit years of age, was early yesterday morning riding 011 the ton of a. loaded lorry in the neighbourhood of Petone when h'e overbalanced and fell between the horses. Beforo the animals could be pulled up a wheel of the lorry passed over his chest. He was brought in as quickly as possible to the Wellington Hospital, but he died shortly after admission.