Inquest at Shannon.

Manawatu Herald, 3 September 1903, Page 3

Inquest at Shannon.

(By our special reporter.)

An inquest was held at Shannon on Tuesday, ist inst., before Mr Alf. Fraser (of Foxton), Acting-Coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr Fred. Carter was chosen foreman, concern* ing the death of Simeon Starrhan by falling off the express near Snantlotl On the previous day. Constable Bree or Shannon conducted the inquest. Jas. Robinson, of Shannon, gave evidence that he had had a drink with deceased just before getting on the train at Shannon. They got on the platform of the last carriage, and waved to some friends. Deceased was walking about in a reckless manner on the platform. He appeared to have his left hand on the rail. He seemed to twist round and fall off backwards. Witness made a grab at him and just managed to catch him by a part of the sleeve. Believed he fell clear of the line. Looked out but could not see him, and reported it at once to the guard. Also told Mr Lind (for whom deceased was going to work) who was on the train. On reaching Woodville got word that Starman was dead. To the Coroner—-Had seen the body and recognised it as that of his late friend.

To Constable Bree—Had known deceased for two years and never knew him to be subject to fits. The drink referred to was the last deceased had before the train left. Deceased was quite sober. To the Foreman—The guard was in the van at the time. Witness had to go through a roadster before getting to the van. The train would have travelled about halt-a-milein the meantime. Did not notice whether the guard signalled the engine. The guard did not seem to take it in a cool way, but seemed to hurry away and do what there was to do. The train did not pull up till it reached Tokomaru. The accident happened a mile from Shannon.

Athol Waters, railway guard, said he was employed on the Manawatu line. On the occasion in question he heard a few stones hitting the bottom of the van. That was just north of the Otaura bridge. Opened the window and looked out but saw nothing but a few pieces of paper ’flying. After the train had gone about two miles the previous witness informed him that a passenger had fallen off. As it was quicker to pull up the train at Tokomaru witness stopped it there. Witness then rang Shannon but get him, and immediately informed the general manager, as he thought this would be quicker in obtaining medical assistance. Got deceased’s name from Mr Robinson, and made a few inquiries as to how deceased fell off, &c. To the Jury—Did not signal the driver. Could have pulled the train up with the Weatinghouse brake. It would not have affected his position as guard if he had pulled the train up and gone back. It would have taken him about have an hour to pull up and go back to where the accident occurred. Would say the time he heard the stones would be the time the accident happened. Could only see the side of the rail when he looked out. Thought it would be quicker to go on to Tokomaru than to go back to where the accident occurred; To Constable Bree—The train was travelling about 40 miles an hour. Henry Dundas Mackenzie, medical practitioner, Levin, said he had seen the deceased the previous day. Was wired by the police to go by the afternoon train. ■ There were extensive injuries to the head, and the right arm was practically severed at the elbow. There were other injuries to the arm, which would have been caused about the same time as the injury to the elbow, but the cause of death in witness’s opinion *was the injury to the head. There was sufficient injury to the head to cause death.

James Bree, police constable, Shannon, said in consequence of a message he received from the stationmaster on the previous monning with regard to a man falling off the train, he went with two platelayers—Gill and Duffy—to look for him. Found his body about a mile north of Shannon, He was lying on hie right side about a yard clear of the rails. There was a large pool of blood at his head, and his clothing was torn. Removed him to the Albion Hotel. Had been speaking to deceased about ib minutes before ha left Shan- j non that morning. He was in his i usual health and spirits. When he , left the station he was standing on the i platform with Mr Robinson. • To the Jury—From what he saw ; witness thought deceased was killed by the knock on the head. The* ground had the appearance as if some- ; thing had been dragged along for about 8 or 10 yards. Deceased was quite sober when he left Shannon. Witness ; also gave particulars of the time he received the message. Mr Hannay, General Manager of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Co., mentioned the time of receiving the message as to the accident. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

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