THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1311, 15 October 1914, Page 2

THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

A verdict of death through being struck by a railway engine, was returned at the inquest held at Palmerston on Tuesday on Henry Chalk, who was killed by the Foxton train on Monday morning. The Coroner, Mr J, W. Poynton, commenting on the evidence, stated that no blame was attached to anyone, and that the evidence failed to show whether death was accidental or intentional.

Evidence was given by Josephine Herbert, who stated that accused lived in her house tor two months. He seemed rather depressed lately. He was a sober man, hard of hearing, and his sight was bad. N. A. Cresswell, fireman on the engine of the Foxton train, stated that when the train was approaching the Botanical road crossing, his attention was directed to deceased, who was walking towards the railway line. The whistle of the engine was blown about 300 yards from the crossing. There was nothing to obscure the view ot the train, and deceased looked towards it. When Chalk got two or three yards off the rails he stopped, but immediately started forward again, apparently to cross the rails before the train. Witness shouted to the driver to stop, and blew the whistle again. The brakes were applied immediately, but too late. The engine struck deceased, the cowcatcher throwing him to the side of the line. The engine-driver and guard lifted the injured man into the van, and he was taken to the railway station, where a doctor attended him.

Wm, H. Chalk, son of deceased, said his father was 70 years of age. He had been over 40 years in the Dominion, and during the last few years had followed no particular occupation. Witness last saw his father on the 6th Instant, when bodily he was quite well. Some six mouths ago deceased fell from a ladder, and since had complained of headaches and dizziness. He was also absent-minded, possessed very poor eyesight, and was deaf. He was quite contented and in comfortable circumstances. Deceased held opinions against suicide. Three doctors had attended him since the fall from the ladder.