SHOCKING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1049, 28 May 1912, Page 3

SHOCKING FATALITY.

MAN DECAPITATED

Dannevirke, May 26

Sven Anderson, a iarmer at Ormondville, was decapitated at Dannevirke, by a train on Saturday night. The train had drawn into the station safely and when shunting the driver felt a bump. Deceased’s body was subsequently found between the metals and the platform, with the head seven paces away.

At the inquest Roland Bateman, railway porter, said deceased came to the station about 5 o’clock, and inquired when the next train left for Ormondville. He was told 7.28, He then went away. He was not then under the influence of liquor, but he returned at 7.45, and went into the porters’ room. He was then under the influence of liquor. Witness ordered him out of the room. He last saw him alive on the road leaving the station about fifteen minutes before the train was due. He did not consider deceased was sufficiently intoxicated to warrant his being given in charge, but he had reported the matter to the stationmaster.

Watson, the stationmaster, stated that the previous witness reported having ordered a man, under the influence of liquor, off the platform-

In answer to the coroner the stationmaster stated it was not customary to light the lamp on the platform near the scene of the accident, unless a train had an unusually large number of carriages. The lamp was not alight on Saturday night. He admitted that had it been so, the driver might have seen a man lying on the rails, or possibly a passer-by might have done so.

The police deposed to finding a pocket book containing ,£23 19s qd on the body, also a railway ticket to Ormondville, and papers proving the identity of the deceased, who is said to have twelve children.

The inquest was adjourned