SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE SHUNTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 59, 1 March 1902, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE SHUNTING.

PORTER LOSES TWO LIMBS. About 9 o'clock on Friday morning a; porter at the New Plymouth railway station, named Liwrence DoffiD, met with a terrible accident whilst ehuiating a loaded truck in the New Ply-, mouth yards. The unfortunate man, who is a particularly smart officer, had shunted tbe truck on to the line running into the goods shed, and as it had come down the decline at the breakwater end of the yard, had considerable impetus. It is possible that Duffin may not have been certain whether the poin's leading to Mr Now ton King's yards were open, aDd knowing that if the points wert» open the result of the impetus would carry tbe truck out on to the roadway, he may havo be6n over anxious to apply the brake. At all events he rushed ahead to get round the truck and let down the brake lever, hut unfortunately as he was on one of the new lines, with the sleepers exposed, he tripped over the rails, aud before he could draw his limbs into the space between the rails the truck wan upon him and the wheals on ona side ran over the man's right leg, while those on the othei- side caughi tho right arm. Fortunately his head and the other part of bis body were clear of the line, but he must have had an marvellous escape from instantaneous death. The sufferer was promptly convflyed to the hospital, and after a consultation by tbe medical staff tho injured liinl s were amputa'ed. Drs. Leatham, Walker, Home, and Fookes were present, and wa are glad to say that on enquiry late in the evening the patient was said to ba doing as well as could be expected uuder the circumstances. The prinoipal cause for anxiety is as to whether the patient's aonstitution will bear up against the awful shock received ; but both Drs. Leatham and Walker are hopeful ou this point, as Duflin has not only a splendid constitution but ft cheerful disposition, '