The Rangiora Disaster.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4975, 19 December 1884, Page 3

The Rangiora Disaster.

(Pee Pbess Association.)

Cheistchttech, Wednesday.

The inquest on the bodies of David U. Keir and Margaret Morrell, who were killed by the railway accident, was held at Bangiora to day. The evidence showed that the cover of the Tan projected some inches over and around the sides of the driver's seat, so that he could not easily sec the train crossing, A girl of fifteen, who was minding the crossing, said she called out and held up her arms to warn Hughey, who did not appear to notice her till he was close to the line, when he leant forward and looked around the cover of the van at the train, which was coming at a good speed. He then whipped the horses, and tried to cross before it caught him. Hughey was a very sober man, and was considered a good driver; but he wag late in keeping the appointment with the picnic party, and seemed annoyed about it. The engine-driver, John Eadie, said he was going at the rate of seven or eight miles per hour when Hearing the crossing, and blew the whistle 140 yards fromifc On seeing the horse he at once reversed the engine, and put steam on full back. He could have done nothing more to avert the peeident. At the rate the train was going,

it would take about nine seconds to stop from the point at which the whistle was sounded, to the crossing. A verdict of accident-! death was returned.