CROSSING FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1928, Page 3

CROSSING FATALITY

NEED FOR PRECAUTION 7

(By Telegraph Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 155

An inquest was lu-ld to-day into the death of Samuel Thomson, aged 2H who wan lulled in a collision lel ween a train and Public Works lorry at th '* Wnolstnii level crossing on N’cvembi r 22tnl. Thomas SI rawford. o‘river of the motor lorry, said he appiom-hed l.ne line nl a speed of eight to ten miles an hour, lie was about 20ft- from the line wlieii he first saw the -engine ap:m:iehmg. A maerociirpa hedge, e>* feet high, oli-'Ciired his view, lie did inil hear Ihe eligin 1 whistle. Ilcrhert N’orinan Klukos. driver ol the locomotive, said he whistled twice when approaching the ei-ossing. IDapplied both brakes when he saw flic lorry, hut the train struck if. None of the men on the lorry were actually si nick by tlu* engine. Mr Moslcv (Coroner), in giving lit" verdict, said lie had no evidence ilial the corner was specially dangerous. If seemed to him that ii Ihe drivers ol the vchieles exercised ordinary care there should he no M'-“einl danger. “I cannot lull emphasise.” said the Coroner. “the necessity for utmost car 1 * to he taken hv vehicular traffic approaching railway crossings. I know that probably I am wasting breath. I know tliiil mnlnr drivers don’t do this sort of thing.” Tin* Coroner returned a formal verdict.