A Shocking Accident on the Railway Line.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 16 July 1915, Page 2

A Shocking Accident on the Railway Line.

A most distressing accident occurred on the Main Trunk Line on Monday evening last, resulting in the death of a man named Robert Chester. It appears that Chester, who was employed on the railway works at Pukemiro, arrived at Huntly by the evening train, and some time later commenced to walk out to the camp by way of the railway line. Apparently he missed the turn at the south crossing, and instead proceeded south by the Main Trunk Line. When the Wellington Express arrived at Frankton at midnight, the guard reported having felt a shock or bump such as might result from running over a cow or hosre. Examination of the train revealed patches of blood which made it certain that something had been struck by the train. Huntly was immediately communicated with, and on search being made, the body was found at a point a little south of the old brickyard, terribly mutilated. From indications along the line it would seem that the deceased had not been between the metals, when struck by the train, but had been walking beside the line, and had either stumbled or had been drawn against the train by the suction caused by the train travelling at highspeed. Ia any case, he was caught by one of the carriages and dragged for a distance of about 85 yards, and injured to such an extent that the body was almost unrecognisable. The body on being found, was immediately removed to the morgue, where it was identified as that of Robert Chester. An inquest was opened at Huntly on Tuesday, before Mr Rawson, S.M., when formal evidence as'to finding the body was given, and the inquest adjourned till to-day, to enable the train officials to attend and give evidence. The deceased was a married man, and leaves a wife and one child residing at Mount Eden.