AN AVERTED TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1021, 9 November 1912, Page 2

AN AVERTED TRAGEDY.

The western railway crossing m the Square, Palmerston North, was the scene of an exciting incident on Thursday afternoon. An elderly man named James Perrin, a stock-drover, who had been drinking heavily, threw himself across the rails as the NapierWfltllington express was approaching, and grasped one of the rails so determinedly, that a passer-by who rushed up to drag him away was unable to loosen the man's grip. Two more men fortunately came to the rescue, and Perrin, protesting that he wanted to be cut up by the train, was pulled out of danger. Meanwhile the enginedriver had applied the brakes, and the train was stopped a few feet from where the man had fallen. Perrin was held by his rescuers until the arrival of Constable Finlayson, who took him in charge.

Yesterday morning Perrin appeared before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M,, to answer charges of attempted suicide and obstructing the working of the railways. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded not guilty, adding that he only remembered falling on the railway line. He had intended going to his sister’s in Levin.

Sergeant Willis said he would ask that accused be remanded until Monday, as he was suffering from the effects of liquor, and it was necessary that he should be under medical observation for a few days. The accused was obviously in an abnormal condition, and the remand asked for was granted.