THE ROTORUA RAILWAY ACCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 15 August 1907, Page 2

THE ROTORUA RAILWAY ACCIDENT

VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY. CAUSE OF RUNAWAY UNEXPLAINED. Per Press Association. Rotorua, August 14. At the railway accident enquiry, the i evidence of the Putaruru Btationmaster, R. C. Robertson, the Wcstinghouse brake expert, and Constable Spellnian was taken. Taylor, the driver of the licist vugiue, was recalled, and gave further evidence, hut nothing new was elicited.

The evidence was very conflicting. The engine-driver and staff declare the brakes were put ou before the engines were uncoupled, while the passengers say no brakes were applied. The inquest closed at a quarter to 5, and the jury retired. They returned in an hour and a half with the following verdict: "That Uuard Lowe same by his death as the result of injuries received through an accident to the Eorua goods train on August 3, owing to the vehicles receding from the vicinity of the forty-eight-mile peg, when the engines were detached, through the partial failure of the second engine. TJie evidence is too conflicting to justify the jury in arriving at a decision as to why the vehicles reoeded.

. THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY. Per Press Association. Wellington, August 14. - An inquiry into the recent fatal railway accident on the Auckland-Hotorua line opens at Auckland to-morrow week. Air A. L. Beattie, chief locomotive engineer, and Mr L. Buxton, chief traffic manager,'will be present to give evidence if desired. Evidence will be given by Air Robertson, expert in New Zealand for the Westinghouse Brake Company management.