STRUCK BY TRAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 784, 3 October 1929, Page 18

STRUCK BY TRAIN

INSPECTOR'S DEATH EVIDENCE AT INQUEST (Special to THE SUN) WAIHI, Wednesday. The adjourned inquest was held today by Mr. "W. M. Wallnut, coroner, concerning tke death of Mr. Richard John Perry, acting-inspector of permanent ways, stationed at Tauranga, who was fatally injured when a motorjigger which ho was riding came into collision with a train on September 16. Mr. C. N. O’Neill, of Thames, appeared for the dependants of Mr. Perry, who reside in Auckland, and Mr. J. Cording, assistant-traffic inspector, Frankton, appeared for the Railway Depart • ment.

Evidence was given that Mr. Perry left Katikati on the jigger to go toward Wailii, and came into collision with a train from Waihi shortly after lie entered a deep cutting in which there was a sharp bend. The jigger was only a few yards off before it could be seen by the fireman on the engine, who immediately drew the attention of the enginedriver. The brakes were applied and the train pulled up in less than its length, but Mr. Perry was carried about 400 feet on the cowcatcher. Tho injured man was taken to Waihi and after attention at the station was removed to the hospital, where it was found that he had a compound fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, s"s well as a compound fracture of both legs and one arm. He did not rally and died the same afternoon.

A verdict was returned that Mr. Perry died from injuries received when the jigger which he was riding came into collision with the train, no blame being attachable to anyone.