ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1916, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A SHUNTER'S DEATH. WORK WOULD "GET HIM DOWN." By Telegraph.—Press Asseciation. Christchurch, April 8. An inquest was held to-day on the body of James Walls, a shunter who was killed at Christchurch railway dtation yesterday. Mr. J. P. Matheeon, goods agent, stated that in his opinion the accident was due to inadvertence on the part of the unfortunate man. Deceased walked in front of the waggons, which knocked him over. He kept inside the rails instead of keeping on the outside. Deceased was healthy, and practically a fit man. Witness knew that deceased had asked to be relieved of shunting duties, and witness . told deceased that he had been engaged as a shunter, but gave him light work. The Department, however, held that as de* ceased was engaged as a shunter, and said that, ho was fit for shunting work, he should do it. Witness told deceased this decision, and deceased agreed to it. Deceased was hit by the waggons before lie turned round, and his fost caught in the switch. Deceased, when Avitness came vup, said to witness, "I told you, Mr. Matheabn, this shunting would get me down." Deceased must have lost confidence in himself/ The Coroner returned a verdiot of accidentally killed by being run over by a railway truck.

CATTLE DROVER KILLED. Christchurch, April 6. Michael Cowan, aged 58, a eattle drover, was rushed by an animal in a mob lie was driving at Riccarton today. His horse was gored and threw Cowan, >vho fell on his head and broke his neck.