SUDDEN DEATH ON THE KAIPARA RAILWAY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 147, 29 March 1872, Page 3

SUDDEN DEATH ON THE KAIPARA RAILWAY.

A sad instance of the uncertainly of life occurred on Monday last, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, on the Kaipaia Railway. The deceased was a man named Murphy, who was employed as guide by Mr Berry, one of the sub-contractors. The party was working about five miles from Riverhead. Murphy having loaded his dobbin at a cutting, proceeded to the face of the embankment, which was being formed some 70 or 80 yards distant, and tipped the stuff over. Boon after, some of the men who were working at the cutting came to the embankment, and found Murphy at the foot, apparently lifeless. Mr B. Harding, C.E., was near the place, and was immediately sent for. Upon reaching the spot, he examined the poor man, who at that time gave faint indications of life, hut soon expired. It was thought that the horse might have hurt deceased, and the inquest which is to he held will throw some light on the accident ; hut it is said that deceased complained of a pain near the heart for some

tune before his death, and sgoke of going to tiie hospital. If disease of the heart existed, the strain or exertion in trying to wheel bank the dobbin would lead to fatal results in some cases. The body was brought to town yesterday, and an inquest will be held upon it to-day.— D. ft. Cross.