A SUICIDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1923, Page 1

A SUICIDE.

ALAN JUMPS UNDER TRAIN. OTTRA LTXE SENSATION. GffcEYAIOUTH, May -L Leaping on to the railway line and sitting down, Gustav Erickson was killed bv last night’s Oliva express, about one mile on tlie Greymouth side of Aieket’.s.

Fireman Russell, who saw the man first, told the police that Erickson was walking towards Greymouth alonside the line 100 yards ahead of the train Russell immediately blew too whistle and the deceased turned and looked at the train, and then leaped into the middle of the line and lay down. Endeavours to stop the train before it reached Erickson were made by Driver X. Mc.Vra.

Deceased was struck by the engine and flung a considerable distance, fully .00 feet by the cowcatcher, landing in the gutter alongside the line. When the train was stopped about a length beyond the scene of the accident Ericksen was found to be unconscious hut alive. He was terribly injured about the body, and though Matron Tvitto and Nurse Anderson, who were passengers on the train, did their best, when the injured man was put aboard the train, he succumbed shortly after the train left Moana, about an hour after the accident. A passenger who was on the tram to Otii'ft in the morning, states that he

saw Erickson, or a man he believes to have been Erickson, walking towards Aickens. Erickson is believed to be a timber worker, as lie had bis union card in his pocket and the last address that could be found on him, was “Forest Sawmilling Co., Nelson Creek.” He was a. middle aged man of stout build. Deceased has also competed in axemen's contests. On arrival in town the body was removed to the Hospital morgue.