SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2321, 20 February 1892, Page 2

SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT AT TEMUKA.

Yesterday evening a man named C. W. Oliver, well known in the district an “ the Devonshire Primer,” and who has lately been leasing the Green Hayes orchard, was run over by the express train for the north, and instantaneously killed. Shortly after the train left the station the whistle was blown several times, but little notice was taken, as the majority of those who heard it only thought that there were some stray cattle on the lino. It appears, however, that the unfortunate man was going along the line at Dyson’s crossing, and was either unconscious of the approach olS*® the train or stunned by fear. He was found by Mr Geo. Davey and Mr T. Cowan, the porter at the railway station, lying across one rail. The face and upper part of the body were uninjured, but the lower part -was mangled. The body was at once taken to Dr Blunden’s, who pronounced life extinct, and thence to the Temuka Hotel. Shortly afterwards the hat of deceased and a portion of his watch were picked up by one of Mr Henry’s sons, and handed over I to the charge of the licensee of the hotel. Au inquest will be held to-day. It appears that the deceased was in the Temuka Hotel until a few minutes before the arrival of the train. He had been drinking some days before, but was quite sober when leaving the hotel. He walked across to the railway station, and then along the line till overtaken by the train. The cow-catcher knocked him down, and he was dragged a distance of about 50 yards. The accident was noticed from the railway station, and those named above, with others, made haste to the spot before indicated. The Coroner was at Ashburton yesterday, and he has been communicated with, -but the inquest cannot be held before this afternoon, as as tli,e driver and fireman of the cannot attend until after the express arrives.