FATAL ACCIDENT.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 63, 25 October 1864, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT.

It is oiu- melancholy duty this morning to relate the first fatal accident Which has occurred on our Great Northern Railway ; and it is unnecessary to state that the sad occurrence has spread a gloom over every class of our community at the pi-esent time. The following particulars of the catastrophe are obtained from one who was an eye- witness. It appears that a train, laden with provisions and other necessaries for the festivities at the Makai-ewa to-day, proceeded to that place yesterday afternoon. At six o'clock, just before starting to town, it was found necessary to replenish the engine with water, and for this purpose, a lad, named Alfred Gasket, employed on it, went upon the water tank to adjust the hose. The watering of the enjiue being duly accomplished, the train moved slowly off', and Gasket meanwhile descended from the tank, and came running up to regain his station on the engine. The train being only in very slow motion, he easily managed this; but it appears that he was in the habit of being rather careless in his manner of standing upon it, and on lids unfortunate occasion he slipped down' between the engine and tender to the ground between the rails. In doing so, his head had "rested on one of the sleepers, which are of such a height that there is very little space left between them and the axle of tlie guiding wheels"as it passes over them. This being the case, the. axle came in contact wifrli the Izead o£ the deceased, which- was thereby mangled in such a frightful manner that death must have ensued instantaneously: ,It v was remarked, that the train had proceeded about three hundred yards from the time Gasliet stepped on to' the .engine to'; tlu place where he fe11... The train immediately cam*, into town, ieaviug : thebody to be .taken, due care of by some 'people on the spot.., Dr. Young wa■then despatched, to the scene, but itis ah jiosfc uu-' necessary to stater that all skill ' was unavailing. ' The body, was .thereafter conveyed to town, ami ' deposited in the " Hospital, where it lies awaiting an inquest, which, we understand, will not be held till to-moi'rqw. . ' ' It lias been mentioned to vs — but ' into the truth of the assertion *'c have as yet had no means of' ■■"inquiring — that' Gasket was to have been discharged yesterday, and for tho.v.ery fault which his f. ersistenee; in at - length cost < him his life^ He had been frequently reprimanded for his carelessness hi his manner of getting on and off the engine, and also of not being duly l careful where he stood, so as to avoid all chance : of danger. However, it would be premature to _say more "on this subject at pvoscul;. These particulars will" doubtless be fully investigated at the inquest. The faUicr of the ■deceased occupies some situation on' the jetty, as n cornmisnion^ agent, &c. Ho was immediately informed of his son's death.