ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 3, 28 June 1911, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

TIIE TE WERA FATALIT*'. An inquest was held at Tc Wcra 011) Monday to enquire into the circum- { stances surrounding the death of Harry» Woods on Saturday night, Mr. James Sexton acting as Coroner. George E. Sharman, driver on the Public Works Department's engine, wave evidence that he travelled with deceased in the 7 p.m. train from Stratford on Saturday. ITe did not know deceased. On approacning Tc Wera Woods shook hands with witness and left the carriage. Shortly afterwards witness felt a slight bump—as though the train had gone over a stone, when the train stopped ho got oir and looked back, as also did the guard of the train, but they could see nothing. Witness did not know of the accident until midnight. In the train deceased was speaking about his past life ami adventures, and also said lie was paralysed. Deceased was perfectly sober, and did not show tlie slightest sign of drink. There was nothing in deceased's conversation to suggest that lie contemplated suicide. Witness was of opinion that death was purely act 'dental. Andrew Onlton, farmer, Tluiakamn, sum he had known deceased for about seventeen years. Woods left witness's place on Friday to go to Stratford. Deceased was paralysed down the left side. We was not subject to fits. He was a widower, and was about seventy years o.'i. I'or his age he was an active man. lie gave no indication of wishing to comimf. Miieide. Tne jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The following rider was That a lijrht should be placed n the north end of the platform, as the piliK'ijial part of the passengers have to p'i?' 1 ' t,ll!rc \ which is past the ordinary light. The jury are of opinion that if , I'pht had been at the north end the accident would proltablv have been seen and il certain the body would have noon found earlier—Post.