KILLED AT CROSSING

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1930, Page 5

KILLED AT CROSSING

BY MINISTERIAL TRAIN

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association )

INVER CAR G ILL, Jan. 17

At the inquest held this evening concerning the deaths of Alexander Kelly and his daughter Ethel, who both suffered fatal injuries as the result of tlio level crossing accident at. Mokol iia, when his motor lorry collided with a special train in which the Minister of Railways was travelling, the following verdict was returned: "‘That dec-cased met their deaths as the result of a collision when a motor lorry was struck by a special train containing the Minister of Railways and party.” The jur.y added a rider that no bbune was attachable to the driver or fireman.

The Coroner (Mr James Ward, J.P.), referring to the fact that the special train was permitted to run at 10 miles an hour, irrespective of tlm crossing, said: ‘‘l notice that the special tain was travelling at about 40 miles an hour when conveying the Minister of Railways over the line. I do. not know why it should bo necessary for him to travel at such a speed, for the. Minister lias the whole of thp recess for the purpose of visiting the various railway centres on Departmental business. However, 1 suppose lie lias a good reason to travel so.”