Railway Accident.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 19 June 1914, Page 3

Railway Accident.

OLD MAN KILLED. A fatal accident occurred this 11 morning shortly after 11. o’clock y on the little railway bridge north s of the Ranglriri railway station, e whereby an old, hut healthy looking man, apparently about e 70 years of age. was killed. ■" Though details to hand are [1 somewhat meagre, it appears J that the deceased was walking * along the line, and had nearly crossed the bridge in question when the Thames express came round the curve. The drver, noticing a person on the line, 3 blew tlie engine whistle; but J as no notice was taken, lie ap--1 plied* the brakes, and pulled up 3 the train within a third of its 3 length, but not soon enough, unfortunately, to prevent the fatal 3 occurrence. The beam of the 3 engine struck the deceased full ■ on the forehead, inflicting a great gaping wound above the ’ right eye, and evidently dashing him against the stringer ! where the body was found, with such violence that another in--1 jury was inflicted on the back of the head. When the train [ stopped the inanimate body was ' placed in the van and brought to Huntly where it nwas place in the morgue. An examination . by Dr. Low revealed a compound comminuted fracture of the skull, the injuries being, in the doctor’s opinion, so great as to cause instantaneous death. The old man, who is quite unknown here, and who wore at the time of the accident a navy blue serge suit, is of stout and nuggety build, about five feet eight in height, and possessed a fairly long white beard and whiskers. He wore a N.Z. War ribbon and medal; on the rim of the latter being the inscription, “No 150. Pte. S. Thorn, 70th. Foot.” There was ’some money in his pockets and a letter addressed to Mrs J. Spilsbury, Rangiriri, hut there was nothing to indicate his place of abode. Mrs Spilsbury who* was communicated with, supplied information as to indentification, and stated that the relatives of the deceased would proceed at once to Huntly. The inquest will take place here to-day at noon, Mr E. J. Farrell, J.P., to act as coroner in place of Mr E. Rawson, S.M., who is presiding over the court at Otorohanga.