ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 301, 15 May 1911, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

DROWNED FROM A LAUNCH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Saturday. A young man named Andrew H. Russell, accompanied by a man named Walsl>j*«onveycd some passengers in a launch from Tauranga to Opotiki. Returning, they encountered stormy weather, and a wave broke over the launch and washed Russell overboard. The inrush of water stopped the engine, and Walsh was unable to render assistance. Russell was drowned, and the* launch drifted five miles, but Walsh got ashore safely. Russell had a master mariner's certificate and had been in charge of the launch for a considerable time. KILLED ON THE RAILWAY. j Wellington, May 13. George D. Cronin, master coachbuilder. resident at Pet one for many years, was killed on the railway line at Melting's siding, between Lower Hull and Belmont, this morning, presumably by the early train from Upper Hutt. * The body was terribly mangled. An inquest was opened and adjourned after some ■ evidence had been taken. Deceased was a widower, 48 years of age. The evidence showed that deceased left Dannevirke last Tuesday with the intention of returning last night or to-day. He had been suffering from pains in the head. No one saw the accident, but a boy who was standing on the platform of the last carriage of the first train from Upper Hutt saw portions of the human body on the line, and reported the matter to' the train people. The inquest will be resumed on Monday. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Hastings, Saturdav. Arthur Thomas, aged 35, employed at the Tomoana Freezing Works, was found unconscious on Dr. Storey's verandah with a gashed throat. It is understood that he had been drinking, and committed the deed in his own house, and, repenting, wandered through the streets. His wife was absent from home at the time. Thomas is now in the hospital.

THE SOCKBURN FATALITY. Christchurch, Saturday. John Hill, an elderly resident of Sockburn, was found lying at the Sockburn railway station yesterday with a wound in his head, from which blood was streaming. He was unable to explain how he was injured, and was brought to the city hospital, where he died to-day. Christchurch. Saturday Night.

John Hill, aged (i"2, who resided with his son at Sockburn, and who was admitted to the hospital at 8.30 last nipht suffering from a serious wound in the forehead, died in the institution early this morning. He was found at Sockburn railway station in a dazed condition, having apparently had a fall, but how the accident occurred is not known at present. It is supposed that in endeavoring to escape a train he was either struck by the engine or stumbled and hit his head. He had an abscess on the forehead, and as a result of the blow he received this commenced to bleed profusely. No one appears to have witnessed the accident. Christchurch, Last Xight. At the inquest on John Hill, the evidence of Henry Baker, an engine-driver, was to the effect that when the train from Ashburton, which he was driving, and which arrived at Christcurch at fi.4.) on Friday night, was approaching Sockburn witness saw deceased immediately in front of the cow-catcher, which struck him at the same time. Hill had iust stepped off the line, and the cow-catchor threw him sideways clear of the line and on to the platform. A flask of whisky was found on him. The hospital doctor stated that Hill smelt slightly of alcohol when admitted, but was able to speak intelligently! There were no signs of fracture when examined, but a post mortem revealed a fracture of the skull extending backwards from a cancer which had eaten through the bone of the skull so that the brain was exposed at one spot. Hill must have died in a few weeks. Death was due to fracture of the skull. Hill's son stated that his father was a butcher employed at Islington. He was given to drink, but was not tinder its influence on the day of the accident. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony, the Coroner remarking that persons crossing the railway line and not using the overhridge must be prepared to take the consequences.

A SUDDEN DEATH. Chri-tehurch, Last Night. An inquest was held this afternoon regarding the death of Thomas Kent, a coal merchant, over of) years of age. He died suddenly at an earlv hour this morning. The medical evidence was that death was due to angina pectoris, immediately caused by an acute attack of indigestion. A verdict was returned accordingly. A RAILWAY FATALITY. Masterton, Last Night. A man named John Montgomerie. married, aged 35 roar-, was engaged in shunting operations at the Masterton railway station last night, when his foot slipped, and lie got under a carriage. A wheel passed over his arm, which was shockingly mangled. Montgomerie was taken to the hospital, where he died at an early hour this morning.