KILLED BY EXPRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 12

KILLED BY EXPRESS

INQUEST AT HASTINGS STRUCK ON LEVEL CROSSING TRAIN CREW NOT TO BLAME [by telkcraph—own coiirksponoentl HASTINGS. Tuesday A verdict that death was due to nn accident was returned by Mr. G. Ebbett, J.P., coroner, at the inquest held this morning concerning tho death of Royal William John Lee, an elderly chimney sweep, who' was killed as a result of a collision between a horse and cart which he was driving and an express train, at ;i Hastings levelcrossing on May 14.

Leo Thomas King, fireman on the train engine, said that when approaching the Southampton Street crossing the speed of the train was about 45 miles an hour. Ho saw deceased's horse and cart when the train was four or five chains away. Deceased drove right on and apparently did not take any steps to stop. Two blasts of the engine whistle were given before the crossing was reached. Tho train was pulled up in about 12 car lengths. There was no way in which the accident conld have been avoided as far as anyone on tho engine was concerned. Reginald A. Colwill, who witnessed tho accident, expressed the opinion that deceased did not see the train until his horse was crossing the lino and the engine was about 15ft. away.

Tho coroner said there was no evidence of negligence on tho part of tho railway servants. The train was travelling at its usual speed and tho whistle was blown twice. Had deceased kept a proper look-out he would have seen the train. Tho crossing was not a dangerous one, as a good view was obtained along the railway line.