The Appleby Fatality.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9055, 14 February 1908, Page 5

The Appleby Fatality.

THE INQUEST.

NELSON, February 13,

The inquest in connection with the Appleby coach and railway fatality, on the Ist, was resumed to-day. The evidence of the railway officials was t? the effect that the train which wrecked the coach was a passenger special, which was not to stop at Appleby unless there were passengers to be picked up. As there were none the train proceeded at a reduced speed. Before it reached tha crossing the usual whistle was sounded by driver Stevens. The guard, driver and fireman saw the coach approaching the line and concluded that the coach driver had seen the train and would stop. He, however, came on and did not appear to be'aware of his danger until within about six feet of the line and a few yards of the engine, which was just about to take the crossing. The en-gine-driver and fireman stated that he thim rose from his seat and urged his horses forward. The horses cleared the rails and the engine caught the coach amidships. The guard had applied his brake simultaneously with the alarm whistles of the driver, but the train ran a considerable distance it could be pulled up. The coach was carried some distance further into a cattle stop, where Miss Walters Jwas found in an unconscious condition. The body of Mrs Tilbury was carried some distance further. She was killed instantly. Miss Fittall was found clear of the line, having been thrown a considerable distance. Brickland, the driver, who was seriously injured internally, was stated to have said when picked up that it was a funny thing he had not heard the train approachi-g. Othir witnesses stated that the crossing was an open one, with nothing to impede the view from the box of a coach.

The inquest was adjourned until to-morrow, and a further adjournment will probably be necessary to secure the evidence of Brick land, who will be unable to appear for some weeks.