MAN FALLS BENEATH TRAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1919, Page 6

MAN FALLS BENEATH TRAIN.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH. Palmerston North, March 25. The arrival of the Main Trunk express from Auckland at Palmerston North to-day (Friday) was signalised by a sensational escape from death, and some eommendably prompt and efficient rescue work on the part of the local railway officials. The express had pulled into the station and was just being brought to a standstill, when a young man named Purton, a local resident, attempted to board it in order to make sure of securing a seat. At the same moment a porter stepped in- front of the platform, and, as is customary, with outstretched arms, gave the signal for the train to stop. Purton collided with this official, and fell between the platform and the train. Almost immediately afterwards the train was brought to a stop. Purton was jammed in under the running gear. He was caught between the interlocking points on the ground and the compensation bar of the bogie, which projects over the wheels. He was held in that position from his shoulder to his loins, while his knees were forced up against the platform and his head partially twisted and pressed downwards. The station was crowded at the time, and many people thought they had just witnessed a tragedy. All efforts to extricate Purton proving unavailing, the passenger coach was jacked up and the weight of the vehicle lifted off him. He'was attended to by Br. Barnett. He was still conscious, and though suffering intense pain throughout the whole of the rescue operations he maintained a stoicism and fortitude that were ajnazing. He was found to have sustained severe injuries to Ins head and jaw, and his body was very badly bruised in places. There were no symptoms of internal injuries, and at the latest■ advices he was report' ed to be out of danger.