RAILWAY FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 225, 28 September 1897, Page 2

RAILWAY FATALITY.

A MAN KILLED.

A PICTURESQUE curve on the North Shore railway line between three and four furlongs on the Sydney side of Chatswood station was the scene of an early morning tragedy involving the death of a man whose identity is unknown, says the " Australian Star" of September 16th. The Hornsby train arrivea at Chatswood at 5.55, and regulation speed had barely been attained for the run to the next station, when the driver (William Bergan) and the fireman (Walter Jackson) saw a man sitting on the railway embankment, some distance ahead. There was nothing in his attitude to indicate that any tragedy was afoot. When the train came within a reasonable distance, and when it was impossible to obviate disaster, the man either threw himself deliberately forward or slipped and fell on the rails. He was cut to pieces, and half the train passed over his body before the engine could be brought to a standstill. The driver acted with great promptitude. The mutilated remains were extricated, and it was found that the left leg was almost completely severed. The Tower part of the body was terribly crushed, and the rails for yards were smeared with blood. Death, was instantaneous. The remains were placed in the guard's van and were conveyed to Milson's Point, and thence by steamer to the North Sydney Morgue. The deceased was unknown. He was a man about 45 years of age, sft sin or 6in in height, of medium build, with brown hair and heavy sandy moustache, turning grey, blue eyes. HeVas dressed in brown trousers and vest, white flannel undershirt, striped flannelette shirt, blue cotton socks, elastic-side boots, and hard felt hat. He wore no coat, and was apparently a working man. A purse and lOd were found in his pockets.