RAILWAYMAN'S DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 919, 12 March 1930, Page 11

RAILWAYMAN'S DEATH

foot caught on jigger UNABLE TO JUMP CLEAR Press Association PALMERSTON N., Today. At the inquest concerning the death Q i John Fitzgerald, a railway surfaceman, who was kiiled when the jigger he was riding with a companion was struck by an express between Te Horo and Waikanae on March 1. Deceased's companion said that when th< stopped to look tor the express they saw no sign of it and decided to go on to the next crossing. When within a short distance of it he heard a whistle and told his mate to jump, but Fitzgerald got his foot caught in an extra board on the jigger, parallel to the outrigger, which made a trap. His foot was thus imprisoned, and but for this he would have had time to escape. No blame was attached to the driver, who pulled up the train in less than its length. To the coroner witness said the extra board on the jigger made the working of it easier. The coroner commented on the lack of judgment that had been shown by both men in not getting off the line sooner, when they knew the express was due. The regulations regarding the s;ifety time margin, should be strictly obstr\ u. As to the board attachment which was said to be an improvement on the machine he suggested that the Railways Department Should investigate to see that it was made safe. Apparently the board had been a contributory cause in the accident. A verdict that Fitzgerald died from shock., following injuries received through a collision between a train and his jigger, was returned.