THE FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT OAMARU.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 895, 8 May 1877, Page 3

THE FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT OAMARU.

The Oamaru Times of Monday gives the following particulars of the death on the railway lino of a man named John Stirling Arthur: —

“The body, which was lying face downwards, with the arms extended, was much mutilated, being nearly cut in two, the left wrist being partially severed and the left side of the head very much battered. The deceased was about 26 years of age, about sft. Sin. in height, of fair complexion, with short beard and whiskers. He was dressed in light tweed clothes, but had neither boots, socks, nor coat on. From vis ting cards found on his person, it appears that his name was John Stirling Arthur and a pocket-book, found in his coat pocket, contained the following memoranda, written in an educated and clerkly hand :— ‘ Left Glasgow for New Zealand, per (ship) Auckland, on November 22nd, 1876. Arrived in Dunedin February 15th, 1877. Went to work in Anderson and Co.’s City Mill, Dunedin, on Monday, 26th February. Wrought there one week, till March 3rd. Went to Anderson and Co.’s, Kakanui (about 80 miles north of Dunedin), on Monday, sth March. Wrought two weeks night shift, five weeks on day shift. Went to Oamaru Races on sth April. On night shift again April 19th.’ Here the diary closes. Deceased had for some unexplained reason taken off his coat, socks, and boots, which were found a mile up the line, north of where the accident occurred, and must have walked down the line coatless, and with naked feet. He appears to have been struck by the engine about twelve yards above the spot where the body was found, as a gold watch, shattered, and a portion of a locket, were picked up here. He seems then to have been pushed along the line, and then to have fallen under the wheels. “The deceased intended to go out to Mahcno bv the afternoon train, but missed it; and, bt'iim the worse for liquor, evidently started to walk”thither along the line, but mistook his way and proceeded northwards instead of southwards, as lie should have done. He probably walked some distance before discovering his mistake, and then returned towards Oamaru, taking off his coat, boots, and socks, in order to enable him to walk faster. It is supposed that he got tired and lay down and slept, and on awakening after dark forgot or could not find his coat and boots, and was walking along the track, posing himself to be out of the reach of the engine, when ho was suddenly knocked down and brought to his end.”