FALLING OFF TRAINS.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 54, 1 September 1897, Page 2

FALLING OFF TRAINS.

(to the editor) Sir, — As ono of those who saw the unfortocatb man fall from the train yesterday, will you allow me room for a few remarks. Tho opioion of most of those present, was, that we must have run Dearly a mile, after the accident occurred, before the train could be stopped, owing to the delay in informforming the driver. The guard, baying collected or inspected tick*, had returned to his van and did not nee the man fall from one of the middle car* riages. The writer had to run back through all the intervening cars to notify him. In the meantime, all tho brakes that could be reached were put on with very little effect. The accident happened where there were somo sharp curves, on a down grade. My object in writing is not to find fault with any one ; hut to point out the awkwardness of having to depend on the guard to notify the driver in such emergencies. If people are allowed to cluster on the carriage platforms, one of two things should be done : Either to hare a protecting bar for each side, like tbofse between tho cars, or some instantaneous way of notifying the driver, within the reach of all ; as " prevention is bettor than cure." Of course tho former would be most acceptable. I may say that a few miuutes before the man fell off, a young man was as near as possible showing him how to do it. I am, etc., Traveller. Fcildiog, August 30, 1897.