RAILWAY FATALITIES

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1491, 27 June 1905, Page 3

RAILWAY FATALITIES

VERDICT OP ACCIDENTAL DEITH

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, last night. Tbo inquest on 11. J. Alexander at-d John Richards, victims of the railway disaster at Chaney’s corner, was held at Kai.-pci to-day, before Mr Day, S M., Coroner. The jury were taken out to examine the wreckage at the scene of the accident, and cn rccuming the evidence wqs heard of sixfcsco witnesses, ten cf whom ware passengers. The r.tidcnce I bore cut the statement of facts previously telegraphed. In addition, Samuel Sellars, ganger, stated be had been over tho line twice on Saturday before the accident occurred, tho second time being at 11 o’clock. The ground was ibeu quite dry, and tho train was timed to pass chore as 12 30. Joseph Sherris, Government Bridge Inspector, said a washout had never before occurred at the place, and he would never have expected it. IJr Macandrew, District Engineer, said ho had previously intimated to the Inspector casually t i inspect Stewart’s Gully in tho course uf his duties, and report-, Tbo Coroner, summing up, said tbst according to tho regulations the speed was not unreasonable, and the driver was a man cf thirty years’ experience. He 1 thought there wai no evidence of negligence on the part of any official. ° Tbo jury found a verdict of accidental death, and added a rider •• That the attention of the Bailway Department be drawn to the class of material used in the formaI tion cf this length, and that it is not substantial .enough to withstand tho flood I water which may o.cc.ur cf any time.” The foremau added that the jury were unanimously of opinion that no blame was attachable to anyone.