THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 235, 22 February 1913, Page 6

THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

»«j •JUMPED OFF Till'; WRONG WAY. . GUARD'S GALLANT ATTEMPT. -Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.. Coroner, yesterday held ;iu adjounied inquest to enquire into the death of Kapaki Wiremu Ro]>eha, the native who was killed at Egniont road on Thursday, February 13, liy being run over by the race train which left New Plymouth for Hawcra at U.IJO p.m. Sergt. Haddrell conducted the enquiry, and -Mr. Day, stationmaster, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Railway Department. Frank Robert Brown, surveyor at Tepoho, Stratford, a passenger oil the train, deposed that when the train reached Egmont road, lie, with others, was standing on the platform of a carriage, which was fairly crowded. The train stopped three or four minutes. No one got off their carriage. After the train had gone about 20yds, the deceased came out of tin l carriage opposite, opened the gate and stepped, oil' the wrong way—i.e., facing the van. Of course, he fell over, and rolled in between the rails and the plat-' form. The first carriage or two missed him. and he sat up, when the step of the last carriage caught him on the, head ami pulled him underneath the train. At the time the Maori stepped c/I', the guard was cheeking tickets, with his back towards deceased. At once the guard jumped off and tried to save him, but was too late, falling over in the attempt. Deceased stepped off, holding the rail of the carriage, which was the cue behind that on which witness was travelling.- lie. noticed deceased several times going through the carriages. Witness could not swear to it, but thought he had had a little liquor, though he was quite tit to travel. George Thomas Dobby, who was acting as assistant guar/1 on (lie race train, stated thai the train was a heavy one. and was crowded. When the train left Egmont road the platform of the car in which deceased travelled was clear. Ample lime was allowed passengers in which to leave the train. Witness first noticed deceased when lie stepped off the train. Witness had checked the tickets in the carriage, which contained several .Maoris, and he did not know one from the other. Witness was in the adjoining carriage and turned round just as deceased opened the gate. Witness sang out, "For (Sod's sake, stop the other way!" Witness corroborated the previous evidence as to deceased lying down between the rail and the platform, while one or two carriages passed over him safely. He then sat up, and the step of the next carriage pulled him under the train. The train had travelled about twenty or thirty yards, and only had fail' way on. If deceased had stepped oil' facing the engine the probability va- that he would have been thrown fiway from the train. Stepping off as he did would drag him towards the train. The train was stopped and the remain*, which were much mangled, were gathered up and taken to Lopperton, being brought back later by the express. He did not notice whether accused was sober. Witness had collected all tickets up to Lcpperton, and there were none for Egmont road. Had deceased wanted to get off at Egmont road he had ample time while the train was stopped. A native named Morere. residing at Bell Block, deposed that deceased was Ids nephew, and resided at Waitara road. Deceased was with witness on the.New Plymouth station platform. Just prior to'the train leaving deceased wanted to go away for a drink, but witness said there was no time. He was able to get on the tvnin. They travelled in different carriages. Just after the train stopped the >irond time at Egmont road witness was told that Kapaki was dead. Deceased was going to Waitara road, and as far as witness knew had no need to get off nt Egmont road. The Coroner said there was no doubt that deceased, who had been drinking, was muddled at the time, and when the train left Egmont road he was under the impression that it was passing Lopperton. where be bad 10 change for Waitara mad. and got off the train the wrong way. falling underneath. lie hrought in a 'verdict that deceased had met his death bv being accidentally run over by the train.