LEVEL-CROSSING TRAGEDY

Shannon News, 29 December 1922, Page 3

LEVEL-CROSSING TRAGEDY

INQUEST INTO MRS NARBEY’S DEATH. The adjourned inquest into the death of Mrs Mary Ann Narbey,. which occurred as the result of a level crossing accident at Weraroa on Tuesday, December 19, was held by Mr W. C. Nation, District Coroner. Constable Bagrie conducted the inquiry for the- police, and Mr Taylor, traffic inspector, represented the Railway Department. A. J. Knight, railway ganger, of Levin, said that .on December 19, a little before 2.45 p.m., he was working in the railway yard about four chains

north of the Tararua Road crossing. At the time there was a mixed train standing in the yard. To allow this train to shunt he had to clear his tools from where he was working. While doing so he heard the Auckland express whistle, but did not notice it until it was near the crossing.

At ; the same- time he saw a trap with three occupants almost on the crossing. It would then be on the first set of rails, which was twelve feet from the main line. “I rushed forward, holding my hands up and calling out to attract the attention of the occupants of the trap and warn- them there was danger,” continued witness. *‘l do not think they saw me. The engine of the express struck the horse, throwing it to the western side of the line. The trap and occupants ' were thrown to the east side of the line. The occupants of the trap appeared to be watching the train in the yard. This train was not stationary. It was shunting at the time, and would be moving very slowly. I hurried to the station and asked the stationmaster to send for medical assistance and advise the police. By the time I had returned the body of Mrs Narbey had been removed, and everything possible done for the comfort of the two injured girls.” To Constable Bagrie: I could not say for certain where the express was when it whistled, but think it was near the distant signal. James Nicolson, farmer, of Manakau, said that at 2.45 p.m. on December 19 he was motoring home to Ma-

nakau. When near the corner of the Beach Road he noticed the Auckland express approaching. He also saw a trap with three ladies on the opposite side of the line. They were only a-short distance from the crossing at the time, and seem to be aware of the train coming behind them. Witness remarked, to a lad was with him that it looked as if there was going to be an accident. The trap drove right on to the crossing and was struck by the train. The elder lady nearest the train appeared to make an attempt to jump out, but at the moment the train seemed to strike the horse. None of the occupants of the trap seemed to notice the train approaching until it was too late. Their attention seemed to be upon the goods train in the yard. Had they looked south they would have had an uninterrupted view, of the express approaching. Witness did not hear the express whistle. The trap seemed to turn the corner very sharply on to the line. Had witness called out when he first sa them it migfit have attracted their attention, but the whole affair was so sudden that it was doubtful.

To Mr Taylor: I was travelling at more than 20 miles per hour at the time. It was rather a flue day, with little wind. Simon Kuiti, a farm labourer employed by Mr Nicolson, said that he was motoring home from Levin with Mr Nicholson. He saw the Auckland express approaching when they were near Beach Boad. Mr Nicolson remarked, “There is going to be an accident,” and on looking round witness saw a trap with three occupants almost on the crossing. In a moment the train had struck the horse. Witness was about a chain and a-half away when the accident occurred. To Constable Bagrie: I did- not hear tlie express whistle. Ur. Robert Bryson said that on the afternoon of December 19, about 3 o’clock, he received an urgent call to go tattle Tararua railway crossing, as a serious accident had occurred on the railway. He at once went to the scene and on arrival found the Auckland express pulled up on the crossing, and was informed that the train had crashed into a horse and trap with three occupants. On going to the far side of the crossing he found Mrs Narbey arid her two daughters lying on the grass near the cattle stop. Mrs Narbey was dead and the two girls injured. Dr. Thompson, of Ilawera, was rendering aid, and shortly afterwards Dr. Gow came along. They deemed it advisable to put the girls on the express and send them to the Palmerston Hospital. Witness described Mrs Narbey’s injuries, mostly to the head. Death would be instantaneous. His opinion -was that the injuries were received by being thrown on some hard substance. Andrew John Stewart, an engine.driver employed on the New Zealand