FATAL ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5846, 24 December 1879, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT.

A sad and fatal accident happ-ned ye-.tor day evening near the Panama Hotel. st the corner of Taranaki and Vivian street'. It appears that the street train, on its way to the Ade-budo-read station, was just admit to sb «p at the points the hotel uuui d, when a passenger, a voung man named Robinson, endeavored to got off the train. In doing so, he descended the steps backwards, each band groping one of the handrails. Upon his feet reaching the ground, the awkward manner in which i be deceased had de mended pro vented him getting clear of the train, and he was dragged sideways for a moment. He then let go his hold with one hand, but unfortunately with the wrong one, the effect of this being that lie was turned round, with his back to the engine and his face to the itar of the train. This caused him to bn dragged backwards until he fell iu front of one of the cars, both side wheels of which passed over his body in an oblique direction from the right breast to the left aide of the face, cradling him so that death was almost instantaneous. The aff ur did not occupy more than a moment or two, and tho train was only proceeding slowly. The guard was occupied iu attending to the points at the time of the accident, his attention being drawn to the occurrence by the bumping of the car in passing over the body, which led him to suppose that the car was oil the line. The guard of the passing train was the first to notice the accident, and he ran at once to Robinson’s assistance. The poor fellow was helped out by the aid of a passenger and curried into the Ibmama Hotel, where the body awaits the inquest to be held to-day. Dr. Harding was speedily in attendance, but Ids .services were of no avail, life being extinct. This accident should act as a warning to the numbers who maker it a constant practice to get off the Irani while iu motion. It is a well-known fact that the company has warnings posted up iu the cars disclaiming any responsibility for .accident incurred in this way, and there is a general expression of opinion that neither the company nor its servants are in any wav responsible for the accident under notice. The inquest will no doubt explain the facts. Tho tram, as wc have said, was just about to stop at the points when the accident happened. The deceased was Id years of age, and was a cadet in the Telegraph Office. His parents reside in Dunodin, but he lias an uncle in this oiftv, with whom he lived, Mr. Robinson of the Evcnln'j Chronicle office. A rumor was at first current that the name of deceased was .Tames, and thb gave rise to con-dd -ruble uneasiness amongst Air. James’ friends until the contrary was proved.