The Rangiora Casualty.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 18, 19 December 1884, Page 2

The Rangiora Casualty.

♦ — - • INQUEST (W THK ODIB& {UMTIiO I'KESS ASSOCt.. lON CiriJiSTCiruKCtr, L c [j An inquest on the bodies of Kcir and Margaret Morrall, w, - £*' killed at the railway accident, \v. * e ji? : ' at Uangiora to-day before. C. W*l"Ub or( j » coroner. The evidence showed thav.he cover of tlie vau projected some int™ over, and rouud the sides of the driven seat so that he could not easily see tt train crossing. A gii'l of 15, who wat minding the crossing, said she called out and held up hei- hands to warn Hughey, •who did not^appear to notice till he was close to the lino, when he leant forward, and looked round the coyer of the vau atthe train, which was coming at a good speed. Ho then whipped the horses, and tried to cross before it caught him. « Hbghey was a- very sober man, and was cojisidered'a good driver, but ho was late to' start with the picnic party and seemed annoyed about it. The engine-driver, - John Eadie, said he was going at seven or eight miles per hour when nearing the^crossing and blew his whistle 140 yards from it. On , seeing . the horses' heads he at once reversed the engines aridjput steam on full back. He could hay& done nothing more to avert; the Occident. At the rate the train was going it would take about nine seconds, from- the .point tffia whistle was . sounded toithe crossings Mr. Bade, : railway traffic maiiagei:, said this crossing was not what i is called a main crossing, but a ganger's family were employed to* look after it, principally on account of school children passing over it. There were posts bearing words, .of warning to persons approaching/- The jury returned the following verdict :— " That the deceased, David. Niven Keir and Margaret Morrall, were Accidentally killed on December 16 by coining into collision with a railway train^ A rider was added—" That the jury pd not consider any blame was at- - tnbutable to the railway officials m charge of .the train, but that m the opin^ ion of the jury the signal arrangement* at High-street crossing are. incomplete, and l"hey suggest that the. erossingkeeper. should during the day signal road passengers with a flag, the, color ot which .to be decided upon by the department, and at night he be supplied with a lamp for the same purpose, and that he stand m the middle oftbe road whilst, trains are approaching." The Coroner conveyed to Inspector-Bender the thanks: of the jury for the complete manner ii*which he had produced the. evidence.')