A RAILWAY FATALITY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 69, 17 April 1909, Page 5

A RAILWAY FATALITY

MAN THROWS HIMSELF UNDER A TRAIN, • By Telegraph.—Pres» Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the inquest touching the death of Joseph TJiawley, who was run over by the nuiil train, Enoch Thawley, son of deceased, deposed tliat he saw his father alive about a week ago, when he was in indifferent health and was in Wellington for the purpose 'of consulting the doctor. Up to the last month or so his liealth hail been good. Deceased never appeared melancholy, and had no monetary troubles. He left Wellington about five weeks ago to 'talce up his residence in Paraparaumu, thinking the change would do him good. William Duffy said immediately the train whistled he saw deceased run rodnd a corner and on to the line. The bystanders Wiled and deceased moved hack a step till the train was a chain away, when Hie appeared to deliberately throw Jiimself across the lines. Witness saw the tram strike the deceased. The enginedriver pulled up almost immediately. James Davidson, engine-driver, deposed he was driving the train when the affair happened. The first intimation he had of the occurrence was •when there was a hump and stones flew tip. He was receiving a tablet'from hi* fireman, at the tjme and thus never saw the occurrence. He asked the fireman what caused the (hump, and the fireman, after looking out, said he thought a man had been iu"i> over. Witness shut off steam and put on the brakes, and then sent the fireman to investigate. The jury brought in a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane.