INQUESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1930, Page 5

INQUESTS

SOCKBURN CROSSING SMASH.'

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.]}

CHRISTCHURCH, July 10

The inquest has opened before Mr E. D. Mosley, coroner, op the six - victim of the recent Sockburn crossing Vi smash.

: Henry McGrath, crossing keeper, said he went on the crossing between 5.15 p.m. and 5.20 p.m. to warn traffic of the approach from Christchurch of the train for Ashburton. AVliile. still standing there witness saw the head-,; light of the workers train from Islington approaching. He remained-in the same position to see the tram through. He showed his green light both ways. AVitness said that several cars, and cycles 'stopped.- Witness saw another j car approaching.and held up his green liilit to show that the crossing was dangerous. When the car was about a chain away it swerved to the left and the same time the train came on to ' +he crossing. The next thing witness knew was that the train had struck the car. AVitness thought that the motorist would have pulled up if lie had seen the train. AVitness was no judge of speed, and it was hard ; .to' sav at what speed the train was travelling M at. “It, might..i,have been twenty miles anjjhbiir.vjt 'ihlght have been move’ lie ridded. r. \\; itfiesn heard •the engine 'whistle ■■ usifc %pproaclied the crossing. ‘ -> : Witness was examined at length by counsel ’for the relatives, Counsel asked: —ls it your duty |to signal the - train or traffic? Ayitnesis-r-Myf duty is to protect" the traim I showi a green light to warn the public that there is danger, as 'a train is approaching. *•- Does the driver of the train see your green light?"w: '* AA r itness—Sometimes. It all depends'. AA 7 e are not supposed, to show a green light to the train. ' .

Mr Burns—Then so far as the train is concerned 'you might be carrying any-coloured light?; . », r The reply of witness was not audible; Walter Yarwick. Purchase said he was proceeding to the city, at the time of the accident., Hie was cycling. He waited till the, Aisiiburton train parsed and then walked over the crossing. Witness heard the train from Hornby ' and heard the whistle sounded. Mfitness saw the train go on the crossing and heard ; a ctash. Witlness could see the light of the Hornby, train h£|f-a-mile awy. It was a -dark liight-Wft-ness added that there was no fog. Frank Carsan, the fireman who wins on the engine, said a good look-blit was kept by him on the south side, of the engine. The whistle was sounded near the crossings The line was then clear on witness’s side. Witness sawta car parked ktoma .‘distance; from the crossing on the 'town side. At the same time he noticed another car approaching the corner, ■ ' Did you say anything? f v . Witness—Xo, I could see that the driver was keeping a sharp look-out on that side of the engine. The brakes were applied about two chains from the crossing, and the emergency , brake was applied, before the engine got on th crossing.' Witness lost sight of the car and the next thing he knew was the collisiqn. occurred... The engine .was running .tender' first' Slid there'was,..no,, cow-catcher. The speed was about.',2s miles an hour. .

CORONER’S VERDICT,

PALMERSTON NORTH, July 10. - Circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Hickey, a postal officer, aged 23, were investigated by the Coroner to-day. Deceased was riding a motor cycle and was injured in a collision with a car near Sandon on April 12tb. and he died on May 19th. The doctor who attended deceased at the hospital stated the cause of death was surgical shock supervening on the debilitated .condition of (his general health following the extremely serious nature of ■the injuries, ;it being stated an operationJivas necessary to effect a union of. ■fractured bones failing to knit; Depbh was not really attributable to the duect effect of the anaesthetic. ' John Joseph Evans, driver of the car, said he was travelling at 35 miles an hour, and approaching'the corner near Mt. Stewart, he tried to slacken but the accelerator did not come up. He stooped down to pull; it up, hut he knocked the steering wheel ; c«asing the car to wabble. Just as the car reached the corner, Hickey came round and a crash occurred. Witness , applied the brakes and the car turned over. Questioned, witness said he had five drinks that afternoon, three before and two after the football match. He would not deny he had more than two after the match.

The Coroner said he would make uncomment' on the evidence in view of the likelihood of subsequent proceed-. ings. ( , A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.