THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3059, 2 December 1908, Page 5

THE RAILWAY FATALITY.

CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquest was held before Mr E. G. Eton, J.P., at Masterton, yesterday, into the circumstances surroundiner the fatal accident at the railway station at Masterton on Monday, by which Leonard Knight was killed. The jury was composed of Messrs John Heyhoe, D. Finlayson, G. C. Niven, J. Harris, H. Petersen and A. P. Fielding. Mr A. R. Bunny appeared to represent the Railway Department. Andrew J. Gifford, clerk at the station, gave evidence that immediately prior to the accident he gave an order to deceased, who replied to instructions. Just after witness heard someone cry out "Whoa!" and looking round he saw Knight under the wheel of the tender of the engine. Witness thought deceased slipped when crossing the line to shift the points. James Thompson and Alyxander McVicker, driver and fireman, respectively, on the engine, gave evidence on the lines of description of the accident, published yesterday. They stated that deceased darted across the track as the engine was moving slowly towards a truck about to be shunted, but his object was not definitely known, though it was probably to raise the bridle of the engine to allow it to couple. George S. Connett, acting-guard, also gave evidence. William Knight, deceased's brother, employed at the fetone Workshops, said hia brother had been about three years in the service. He was transferred from the Hutt as porter, but when he got to Masterton he was put on to shunting immediately. A month ago deceased had personally expressed to witness hia dissatisfaction with his worK, and had applied

for a re-transfer to the Hutt. Deceased had said to witness that one man had to do the work of two men at Masterton, and had avowed he would "turn up the job." In reply to Mr Bunny, witness said his brother had shunted at the Hutt. but did not

like it, being anxious to rise in the service. Thos. Henry Brookes, guard, said deceased was" ' k not an experienced shunter, and was not a strong man, getting tired with the work entailed. Deceased was "fly-shuntins%" which was against the Departmental orders, except. for experienced shunters. The occurrence was purely accidental, and not the result of carelessness or want of experience. A verdict was returned that deceased met his death by accidentally falling, and being run over by an engine, no blame being attachable to anyone.