Railway Bridge Fatality.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3750, 6 April 1908, Page 2

Railway Bridge Fatality.

The body of the unfortunate man Frank Ferris, who was drbwned by falling off the Railway. Bridge over the Waikato River, at Hamilton, on Saturday 28th ult. was recovered on Saturday afternoon. The b idy was found caught in some branchej.. shore distance below the railway bridge, and it was removed to the Hamilton East Police Station by Sergeant Hr,stic.

An inquest was held yesterday by Mr J. S. Bor.d, Mr. Parr being chosen foreman of the jury. Jas. Primrose identified the body as that of Frank Ferris who had been employed by him for about three months. He paid him up his wages in full and gave him £1 extra, making £2 8s in all, about 11.45 a.m. on the 2Sth and that was the last witness saw of deceased, who said he was going to the races. He had never seen deceased under the influence of drink but ho never saw him after returning from Hamilton. To all appearance lie was a very steady man. John Davis, farmer, of Kirikiriroa, deposed to being in deceased’s company at the races on the 28th and to’ meeting him in Victoria street, about eight o’clock in the evening. They had two or three drinks together, Wm. Gann being then with them. Deceased was sober when witness first met him. After leaving the hotel deceased left witness and Gann and witness did not again see him until about 9.3o—three quarters of an hour later. They then had another drink at the Hamliton Hotel with others. After that he did not see deceased until about 9.40, when they met and had a drink at the Commercial Hotel. They then went towards the station, calling in at Mr King’s. Going into the shop, deceased tripped and tumbled on the floor. As he fell a bottle which he said was whiskey, fell out of his pocket. Deceased bought two boxes of chocolates paying for them with a sovereign. They then went along towards the station intending to go over to Kirikiriroa in the train, but finding it gone, Ferris said they would walk across the Railway Bridge. Witness’ tried to dissuade deceased from doing this, but the latter said, “Oh, 1 can walk it all right.” Witness’ reason for trying to dissuade deceased was because he thought him too drunk. They went to the bridge, where he again tried to dissuade deceased from going across. Deceased however, would go across, and he got on to the bridge. Witness caught hold of deceased’s coat, but the latter said, “Let me go, 1 am as sober asajugde.” Witness let him go but said, “For goodness sake walk in the centre.” Deceased went on about 18 or 20 yards by himself, when he tripped and half fell on the bridge and was over on the up stream side of the bridge before witness knew where ho was. Deceased did not say a word; but witness heard the splash as he struck the water. Witness then ran back and told the police. He had known deceaed for about three months, and had always been friendly with him. Deceased was under the influence of drink at 9.30, and a trifle worse at 9.45 p.m. He seemed clear in his head but staggered. Witness thought be was quite fit to walk over the bridge. Deceased must have tripped on the planks on the middle of the bridge, where the workmen tip the barrows. Witness did not know how many drinks deceased had, they had five together. Deceased had walked over the bridge on other occasions. They never touched the bottle which deceased had in his pocket. Mr D. King said deceased tripped and fell came into his shop about 10 o’clock and a bottle fell from his pocket. Witness took the bottle. Deceased went away, but returned for the bottle, and witness told him to come for it on Monday morning. In conversation witness thought him more sober, than he did at first, in fact he appeared quite rational, so witness returned the bottle to him. Deceased bought two boxes of chocolate and received 19s in change out of a sovereign. He did not think deceased sober enough to cross the railway bridge. David Gann said he was in company with deceased at the races. Just as they were leaving the course deceased borrowed £1 from P. Crosby. Deceased went to witness’ place for tea, and returned to Victoria street about 8 o’clock, and was quite sober then. They . parted and witness did not sec deceased until 9.15, when he was fairly sober. They had one drink together then andqwitncss did not see deceased again. R. 11. Davies said he was with deceased at tiie races, and lent him £2, which he asked him for in Victoria street in the evening: but deceased said he had not got it, and witness said it would do another time. He last saw deceased about 9.30, going to the Hamilton Hotel.

T. Moore deposed to lending deceased 2s fid on the Saturday night, when in company with J. Davis. Sergeant Hastie detailed the finding of the body and its removal. On searching the body he found a half sovereign, nine shillings in silver and a penny, a wooden pipe, small pen knife, Waterbury watch, brass chain, metal sovereign case, and gold scarf pin. The watch was stopped at 10.25. There was the remains of packets of chocolates in his pockets and a smashed bottle in his hip pocket. There was a ring on his finger. So far as he could see there were no marks of violence on the body. The accident was reported to him about 10.45 p.m. on Saturday, 28th, and in company with Constable McCormick and others he searched about the sides of the river, but found no trace of deceased. They also dragged the river for a couple of days without success.

The following verdict was returned: “That deceased came by his death by accident through falling into the Waikato river, whilst crossing the bridge, whilst under the influence of drink.”