DANGEROUS SHORT-CUT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 143, 5 July 1937, Page 5

DANGEROUS SHORT-CUT

- Press Asaociation.)

Railway Crossing Scene oi a Fatality

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The habit of people walking on the railway track near Woburn station was stressed by witnesses at the inquest into the cireumstances of the death of William Tyrrall, who was struck by an engine on Tuesday and killed. The Coronet', Mr. E. Gilbertson, J.P., was on the beneh. It was stated in evidence that Tyrrall was not deaf and did not have bad eyesight. The Railways Department had taken action to prevent people from walking on the line, but they still did it. Iron spikes had been driven between the rails to prevent people from wa'kiDg there, and fences had been broken by people getting on to the lines, There were frbquent notices about trespnssing. The driver of the engine stated that an extra sharp look'-out was kept on this section of the line, but there was a curve that prevented him from seeing Tyrrall until he was hit. Tlie driver added that about 100 people were in the habit of walking near the lines at this spot. They saved tbemselves a wallc of 200 yards. The departoient took the view that tho practice could nqt be stopped and that the people went on the lines at their own risk. The Coroner found that Tyrrall was accidentally killed by being struck by the engine, no blame being attachable to the driver of the engine or the stoker.