THORNDON COLLISION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 94, 14 January 1921, Page 5

THORNDON COLLISION

CONCLUSION OF INQUEST

CORONER BRINGS IN OPEN . VERDICT The inquest into the death of William James Hopkirk, of Wellington, who died on December 18 as the result of injuries received in a collision of locomotives at the Thorndon railways yards, was concluded yesterday before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. after having been adjourned from December 20 last. Mr. J. young represented the Railway Depaninent, Mr. J. A. Scott the Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association, Mr. H. F. O’Leary the widow of the deceased, and Mr. W. Perry the signalman on duty at the time of the accident (J. M. Campbell). Senior-Sergeant M’Namara conducted the case for the police. In evidence. Signalman Campbell said he had been in charge of the signal-box at Thorndon station at the time of the accident. ■ At about 2 p.m. Driver Lucas, in charge of an engine, gave the signal "Line clear/’ which, in the ordinary course of eventie, would have given the deceased Hopkirk,' on the other engine, a clear back shunt over three sets of points, as his engine was not then in eight. On perceiving Hopkirk’s engine approaching from the goods yards, witness said he gave the danger signal, by leaning from the window of the signalbox with two hands above his head, but' neither engine appeared to slacken speed until it was too late. The collision then occurred, and the engine on which Hopkirk was, turned over. Witness said he had been a signalman for eighteen years. He admitted there was a danger signal up for the regulation of an out-going goods train, starting from the yard, but shunting engines did not usually take nutice of "Number 27 signal.” By regulation, Hopkirk was not justified in running past that signal. Questioned by Mr. O’Leary, witness said that shunting engines ran back and forth without reference to him, unless specific instructions were desired from him. As far as "Number 27" was concerned, he considered that if the strict' letter of the regulation were always carried out the work of the shunters could not be completed. Personally, ho had averted many accidents by stopping the engines by personal signal. Witness added that he could not drop "Number 27.” Ernest Lucas, driver of ’ the other engine, said that on. the date of the accident. he was taking his engine out to the 1.20 p.m. train, which left Lambton station for Upper Hutt. Fast "Number 27.” he noticed an engine running on a parallel set of rails. He applied his brakes imemdiately, but the other engine did not stop, and came across. The rails at this point diverged triangularly to the points. A collision took place, while the engines were side on, and Hopkirk's engine was overturned, as it was going faster than witness’s locomotive. The deceased driver was pinned underneath his cab. Witness admitted that he did not! watch for any danger signal from Campbell, as he did not expect any. All hi? attention was concentrated on the engine coming towards him on the right, as he had been given the right of way over three sets of points. Both locomotives struck the points at the same moment. Cross-examined, witness said 4 , that he always had complied with “Number 27,” but he knew some drivers who did not. On this particular occasion, until he saw the engine approaching, ho did not anticipate any danger. J. Levick, who was a shunter on the rear-cowcatcher of the deceased’s engine at the time of the collision, explained the reason for non-observanco of the danger signal, stating that no one saw it. He had been shunting for ten years, and knews the "rules of the road.” Evidence was also given by G. F. Tittlenennv. who was the fireman on the deceased’s engine, aa to not: seeing any danger signal. H. J. Wynn, signal engineer, gaid that the deceased should have whistled going past "Number 27.” The regulations should be complied with in all cases. After hearing counsel’s summing up, the coroner gave his opinion that no one could be blamed for the accident. Re considered, however, that the system of shunting engines past "Number 27” should be in some way altered. A Departmental inquiry will be held at a later date.