MANUREWA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 300, 10 August 1917, Page 3

MANUREWA

A RAILWAY TRAGEDY SOLDIER KILLED Whilst the 9.15 a.m. Auckland to Rotorua express was running through Manurewa Station on Wednesday the railway officials on the platform were horrified to see the body of a

man dangling on the cow-catcher of the engine. The train was at once pulled up and the mangled remains of a soldier were removed from the fore part of the locomotive, the express then continuing on its journey. Constable Itelly Was telephoned for and promptly arrived frottt Papakiira and the .body was identified as that of Pte. Joseph Cartwrigbt, a member of ,D. Company, 29th Reinforcements, and son of Mr Nelson Cartwright, of Paparoa, Eaipara. The deceased, who was on extended final leave and was to have returned to Trentham yesterday, arrived at Manurewa on Monday afternoon on a visit to Mr C. A. j Palmer. On Tuesday he went to j Auckland to arrange some business matteta and returned to Manurewa in the evening. On Wednesday morning he left Mr Painier's residence, which is . situated about a mile north of Manurewa Station, with the intention of proceeding to Auckland to attend the jubilee gathering of old Thamesites. For the purpose 6f taking a short route to Manurewa Station he went on to the railway track at Brown's Road Crossing and was seen walking along the line. At this point and right in'o the station there is a double set of rails, one on the low level constructed in connection with the grade easement works and not yet in use, and the other on the old level. Probably being under the misapprehension that trains passed over the n6w s'retch of line the deceased took the high level route. At the time a boisterous gale from the south was blowing and it is assumed that the deceased, who was somewhat deaf, had no idea that a train was approaching him from the north, namely from the opposite direction to which he was walking. An examination of the localityshowed, from fragments found of his clothing, that the deceased was sti tick by the engine just ovet a summit of a rise in the line, a fact that accounted for neither the engine driver nor fireman of the train having any knowledge of the tragedy that had been enacted nntil their attention was called thereto by officials at Manurt wa station, s jme 300 yards or thereabouts distant. The deceased at the time of his death was wearing his uniform and military overcoat, and it was through the latter becoming entangled in the cow catcher that the body was carried forward on (he engine, the feet dangling on the ground, The injuries were extensive, the head being partially smashed, the lower part of one leg being practically severed and only hanging on by shreds of skin, and the other leg being severely cut about. The deceased's putties, boots and socks were torn off and were found at intervals on the line. With the arrival at Manurewa early in the afternoon of the District Coroner (Mr C. Roadley) and Constable Thornell from Pukekohe the body was removed to Papakura, where an inquest was opened, the enquiry, after evidence of iden'ification had beon by Mr Palmer, being adjourned until to-morrow (Saturday) morning. The late Pte Cartwright was 40 years of age and prior to his enlistment he resided at Matamata, his occupation being that of a horsetraiuer. He was a single man. Mr John Cartwright, of Papakura, is a brother of the deceased.

The funeral took place at Papakura Cemetery this afternoon.