STRUCK BY TRAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 9

STRUCK BY TRAIN

CART DRIVER'S DEATH

A RESTIVE HORSE

The circumstances attending the death of Henry Newnos Lanceley, a j'encral dealer, aged 54, who died m the Wellington Hospital as the result of injuries received when the horse he was driving collided with a passenger train at the Petone railway crossing shortly after 6 p.m. on 6th February, were inquired into by the Coroner, Mr. I. Salck, J.P., in the Magistrate s Court yesterday. ■ Francis Pcrcival Austin said that ne was fireman on the passenger train which left Lambton Station at sAo\ p.m. on 6th February. Approaching the railway crossing at Petone the drivcj> of the train blew a long blast j on the whistle. The warning bells_ on the side of the track were ringing, and the light signals were also working. Witness first noticed the horse and cart just before the train reached the crossing, and at that time everything appeared to be all right. When the vehicle was about six yards from the crossing, however, the horse appeared to get out of control. Witness called out tOi the driver of the train to stop. The emergency brake was immediately applied, and the train was brought to a standstill in a little -over its own length. Approaching the crossing the train was travelling between 20 and 25 miles per hour. Evidence was given by Arthur Mahood, a Uiljourer, who said that he held Lancel I 's horse while the latter got into thu cart in. readiness to go home. Tho horse was restless, and when he let it go it appeared to bolt. Ernest William Hunt, accountant, of Wellington, said that when he stopped his motor-car at the crossing the warning bells were ringing. A passenger in his car called out to the driver of the cart to look out, but the latter did not appear to notice the train or hear the warning bells. , Dr. B. said that the cause of death was concussion and head injuries. The Coroner returned a verdict that tho deceased died' in the Wellington Hospital as the result of the horse and cart he was driving colliding with a train on the Petone railway crossing. The Coroner also said that the deceased was apparently trying to quieten his horse, and so failed to hear the warnijig bells. .