THE LATE ACCIDENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VI, Issue 1860, 9 December 1884, Page 2

THE LATE ACCIDENT.

The representative of the Standard who appears to have been an eyewitness of the fatal accident of Saturday last describes it in the following terms:—"Mr Henry Welch (of the firm of Welch Brothers, sheep-farmers, Opaki) who was travelling second class from Wellington to Masterton, had alighted from the train on arriving at Peatlierston station, and he with other passengers, then proceeded to the refreshment rooms at this station and indulged in some light refreshment. When the guard's whistle sounded, a stampeded was made for the train. Our representative then saw Mr Welch spring on to the platform of a carriage, but he then appeared, upon seeing Mr P. P, Tanered mount an adjoining one, to alterjj hi? mind and endeavor to> change from one platfornj to the other, The train which was now moving awajr

at a good pace, would not allow the intention to bo accomplished. Mr Welch evidently was aware of that fact and upon trying to step back upon the platform of "the .carriage, missed his hold of the guard iron and fell bebween the'revolving wheels of the carriages and station,, platform, and thus ; was drawn "along; and tightly jammed between the train; and platform until the train,was. clear. The body of the unfortunate man was then seen lying mutilated against the end of the platform,'the' lower part of.his coat and part of his trousers and' drawers being •completely torn away. A number of willing hands soon came to his •assistance but a, glance was sufficient to .assure anyone that the sufferer would very speedily. be.bSyond all human aid. The train Was immediately stopped, and the "railway officials-rushed' up. - with some seat cushions..from a first class carriage to which the mangled body was conveyed. Tlie signal was then given for the; train to resume its journey. The station mate was very active in the discharge of his-onerous duties meanwhile, keepiii'g' the crowd, which collected in a remarkable -short time, from incurring another possible accident:, by, in their excitement, getting in the way of the train.. Dr Hanratty, who. was also quickly upon tho spot, accompanied the injured man to the'Greytown Hospital, which was the "nearest place ot relief, although some persons strongly advised the poor fellow to be taken to the Mas- . terton institution. It may be explained that Mr Tancred, being the holder of a

first class ticket, changed during the journey between Wellington and Featherston into a second class carriage for tlrje p}]rpoFp of ponypvqing sjth deceased and some other friends". Upon that accqpnt, no doubt, tho unfortunate man may have conceived the idea o| renewing the conversation during the remainder of the journey. Our reporter asserts that upon seeing Mr Welch stagger in his attempt to remount the carriage, he observed Mr Tancred, who was upoi) the other cftrrago platforiji, put oljt iiis hand apparently Vitji the endeavour to steady or assist the deoeased to return to the steps of the compartment, but without avail, as ho could not reach bo far.

Our reporter called at the Greytown Hospital at 1.30 a.m., and was in: formed t}]9 injuries \yere of sucli a nature as to rejider recovery a moral impoßsijbilifcy, as there'was a flompmini} fracture of the left leg, the'right hip bone was also crushed, aud the lower parts of the body were frightfully mutilated. T[je jjafjjjnt at the time we have jus); appeared iij terrible agony, but after''tatjng'sofne soptjpg ijya|}gi)t administered "by Mr Wales, tJiB ei}stQdHn,.(v;l)o withbis wife used all the weaps jn their power to alleviate the sufferings of their patient), he seemed relieved and dosed, off for a time. He however died about 4 ft.m. on Sunday morning and passed away in a quiet slumber.