INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1930, Page 5

INQUEST

SOCKBURN CROSSING SMASH

KEEPER AT HIS POST,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 10

At the Soekburn smash inquest, Cuthbert Poulsen said that he .was approaching the crossing on a bicycle just before the accident. He saw the crossing keeper, in the middle of the road, showing a green light. He saw the ear run on to the rails, where it was struck full on by the tender of the engine. The impression that be got was that tlie tender wheels mounted the car.

The Magistrate-1 said that it was bard to understand why the car did not stop and let the train- pass. He had visited the crossing, and he failed to understand why a fatal accident should occur there. It was, in his opinion, one of the most open crossings around Christchurch. When one was 80 yards from the crossing, one could see a distance of several hundred •••M'ds to the right. The crossing keeper was in the middle of the road, and his lamp was observed by other motorists and cyclists. ‘‘l can find no fault with 'the Railway Department as regards their guarding of the crossing.” said the Coroner, “All of the regulations concern iitg it were carried out, and the Department must be held blameless for the death of the five people in the car. ' v ith the death of Smith, the driver of the engine, it js necessary to deal separately. ■ It can not be denied that the fact that he was driving an engine, tender first, at 25 miles an hour, contributed towards bis death.

The Coroner held that the practice of driving engines tender first Was dangerous. He said also he was convinced the' Department and the General Manager appreciated the danger that it would be 'for officers of the Railway Department to try to solve the problem. If they have not the funds to do so, they must find other means of safeguarding the lives of their employees. Other eye witnesses of the tragedy. Robert Cook (driver of the , grocery van) and Alan John Gilbert Thorpe Gvbo was riding a motor cycle behind Smith’s car) gave similar evidence. Thomas Stewart Patterson (retired engine driver) said that it was unsafe to drive a “U. 8.” engine tender first at above 10 miles an hour without life guards or a cow catcher. He had known of instances where an engine travelling tender first had come off the rails.

Dr A. C. McKillop said that Smith, the driver, had been medically examined and passed as fit for service. The car was new. and in nefifect order. GENERAL MANAGER CRITICISED.

Mr C. S. Thomas, addressing the Court, said that the old regulations provided for a maximum speed of ten miles an hour for engines driven tender first. Since Mr H, H. Sterling had been General Manager, this speed had been increased for “U. 8,” engines to twenty miles, and for certain ■ other types 85 miles an hour, This had led to a'storm of protest from the Loco Men, who had interviewed Mr Sterling on the question. Mr Thomas rend a shorthand record of this Interiew. At that interview,- he said, the loco men’s representatives had argued strenuously against the danger of driving tender first at high speed. Mr Sterling had argued tliafthe speeds fixed had been certified as safe by senior officers of his Department, who were competent to ndvise him. The protest off the loco men was ignored then, and it had been ignored since, in running tender first engines. This' train had to do its journey at over the maximum c '-crl tv Mr Sterling. DEPARTMENT’S DIFFICULTIES. Mr Aickin, replying to Mr Thomas, said that there was no evidence that the speed of the engine was excessive. Life guards had been fitted to some engines, hut the shunters had represented that they were dangerous o them.. The Department could not reasonably provide sufficient turntables to run all engines head first. The speed of the engine on this trip was not 24, hut 20.4 miles an hour.