A FATAL ACCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1917, Page 1

A FATAL ACCIDENT.

VIC L. SULLIVAN KILLED. A shocking |'at;il iicciilont liiqiponed in the railway yards at Hokitika station last lviolit aliout 7.10., wln'icliy .Mr. Lawrence' Sn’kivnn, resiidiiifr in Kitzliorbort Street was inslantanoonsiy killed, (icing run over by a sliunting truck, and cut to pic-cos. The deceased was on the platform when tile evening train canto in from Crreymont-h and it is surmised that in going towards his home which is in Fitz.herbert Street, just a few yards below the station, Hint he was taking a short cut- across the rails. The nigliti was dark and cloudy and the deceased, who is over 80 years of age and in failing health, cither tripped and fell or as knoeked over by the trucks that were being shunted.

The first known of the accvteut was when shunter Percy Callan line! stopped the shunting trucks, ' which wore on the line of rails leading into ■ the goods-shods and• wa's making his way along the line found the body under the truck. The body was shockingly mutilated the head being crushed, legs severed, and also an arm, and death must have been instantaneous.

The deceased was a very old settlor of South Westland and of late ’tad been living quietly in Hokitika. Hi 1 was a native of Ireland and about

80 years of ago. He leaves a widow and family of six.

I There are three daughters: Mrs. Henry Williams of Hokitika, Airs Fred Williams of Cooks’ River, and Mrs. ,M. MeGnvin of Hokitika, and three sons, John, at the front, Laurence and ' Michael of Cook’s River. I There are also some 27 gramlcliildron , iino. recently having entered the Convent-.

To the bereaved family and relatives the deepest sympathy of the community will ho given in the sad sudden end of a sterling pioneer. THE, INQUEST. An inquest # was opened at the County Chambers to-day at 11 O.m. before ■the District Coroner Mr. D. J. Evans. Sergt. Folle.v appeared on behalf of the police. Formal evidence was given by Air. H. Williams, son-in-law, a«. to. identification.

; The police report stated: The deceased who is about 80 years of age, went on to the Hokitika railway platform a few minutes before the arrival of the 7 p.m. train. He was walking with the aid of a walking stick and an inn hrolla, and appeared very feeble. He was seen by Porter Callan leaving the platform going in the direction of his homo in Fitzlierbcrt street, which is on the opposite side of the railway lino. He was not seen again until found by Porter Callan lying across the railway line, under a. waggon of coal fearfully mutilated.

Henry Williams, son-in-law of deceased, said he had .identified the body as that of his father-in-law, Lawrence Sullivan, who was about 80 years of age. The deceased had been ailing for some time, hut now was becoming ocnvaToseent. His hearing was not specially good, but till lately he had read without glasses. Since his‘ illness his sight had failed somewhat, though he was not short-sighted. He was in good spirits when last seen by witness on Wednesday, and took a close interest in all that was passing. Constable Botiiscb stated be saw the deceased crossing the railway line at a point about where the fatality occurred shortly before the train arrived from Grey mo nth. He was walking feebly, and was assisted by a stick and umbrella. Later lie saw the deceased on the platform standing close by ns the ' incoming train arrived. He made a movement towards tlie passing train before it nulled up, but was told to keep back. Immediately on returning to the police station witness was notified by telephone message of the fatality, and returned to the station ynrid. De'coased w J as living between two trucks of coal o n the shunting line to the Goods Shod, and the body, which was badly mangled, was moved to the morgue. The stick nun umbrellat' wore close by, the lattebeing broken. It- was almost dark at- the time. The station lights were lit, but not- the street lamps at the street crossing. The engine had both | head lights lit-. Francis Percy Callan, porter, stated he was on duty last everting at the Hokitika railway station. Prior to tin* arrival of the Greymouth train saw deceased approaching the platform along tlie gravelled footway. He appeared to walk feebly. Later, after the arrival of the train, saw tlie deceased leave, the platform going homeward. Witness went out on a rake of six heavily laden trucks to have •them shunted.. A goods truck was to he shunted into the Goods Shed first, -and a truck of coal on to another track. The six,trucks were shunted hack to the shed, and the goods truck stalled. The five other trucks wore 'drawn clear to permit of tlie closing of the Goods Shed doors. Witness then went to uncouple the coal truck, hut observed the deceased killed between the rails. Had . a hand-lamp, and recognised tlie deceased as. Lawrence. Sullivan. At ,01100 gave, the alarm, and .summoned the police, nothing being, moved till they arrived. It was raining liglithat the time, and was misty dark. The shunt was a slow one, about two miles an hour. Apparently the deceased was killed by the rake of trucks passing over him. The body was badly mangled, and death would he instantaneous. The engine head lights were lit, and all required precautions taken.

Robert Elliott, railway guard, said he arrived with the train from Greymouth, and after taking some parcels to the office, went, to assist with the shunting. He crossed the line to meet the rake of 'trucks coming in. Had a

clear view of the. approaching trucks, and saw no one about. Uncoupled the goods truck in the .Shed and gave the signal to pull out. Then followed Callan to assist in shunting the coal truck. Wlicn the porter went to uncouple the truck In' noticed the man s body on the line, and gave the alarm.

Albert Thomas Bennett, acting en-gine-driver, stated he was in charge of tlie train from Greymouth,. and subsequent to arrival began shunting operations. The usual signals were given, and the work was carried out according to customary practice. There was nothing observed which was unusual. Kept a close lookj out, and gave tlie usual whistle signals. There was no sign of anyone about. The first witness knew of the accident was the report from Galkin. Went at once to the spot- and saw the man, who was lying between two trucks of coal, and who must have been killed outright. Evan George MacDonald, fireman employed on the engine engaged in the shunting, gave corroborative evidence of that of the last witness. Air. E. G. Bennett, station-master, wn s present at the enquiry watching the proceedings on behalf of the Rail--way Department. The evidence being concluded, the Coroner who expressed his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased, stated that evidently having approached..tlie railway station by crossing the station yard and the rails, the deceased was returning the same way because of the short out, probably to escape tlie rain. 'The verdict was one of being accidentally killed in the Hokitika railway station yard by being run over by a rake of trucks, which wore being shunt-'t in tlie dark.