THE PARAPARAUMU FATALITY

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9421, 17 April 1909, Page 5

THE PARAPARAUMU FATALITY

Per Press Association. Wellington, April 16, At the inquest touching the death of Joseph Thawley, who was run over by the mail train, Enoch Thawlev, a son of the deceased, deposed that he saw his father alive about a week ago, 'when he was in poor health, and was in Wellington for the purpose of consulting a doctor. Up tn the last month or so his health had been good. Deceased never appeared melancholy, and had no monetary troubles. He left Wellington about five weeks ago to take up his residence in Paraparaumu, thinking the change would do him good. William Duffy said that immediately the train whistled he saw the deceased run round the corner and on to the line. Bystanders called, and the deceased moved back a step, till the train was a chain away, when he appeared to deliberately throw himself across the line. Witness saw the train strike deceased. The engine-driver pulled up almost immediately. James Davidson, engine-driver, deposed ,that ha w;as driving tno train when the affair happened. The first intimation he had of the occurrence was when there was a bump and stones flew up. He was receiving the. tablet from his fireman at the time, and thus neither saw the occurrence. He asked the fireman what caused tbe bump, and the fireman, after looking out, said he thought a man had been run over. Witness shut off steam and put on the brakes, and then sent the fireman to investigate. The jury brought In a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane.