WOMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 15

WOMAN'S DEATH

STRUCK BY ENGINE NEW LYNN FATALITY I COMMENT BY CORONER "People will trespass on the lino and I think the public should bo reminded of the risk they are running by not complying with the by-laws to use overhead bridges," said the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at nn inquest held yesterday into tho death of "Mrs. Isobella Mary Dyer. Deceased, aged 55, died in the Auckland Hospital on the evening of December 22, from injuries she received when struck by a shunting engine near Totara Avenye, New Lynn.

Evidence of the accident was given by an eye-witness, Allan Henry Skilton, of New Lynn, who said he was riding his bicycle along to the Totara Avenue crossing. He heard the engine whistle and saw an elderly woman walking along the line toward the crossing. The right-hand side of the engine struck her on the back. Witness expressed the opinion that there was no blame attachable to the crew of the train. It was a shunter travelling in tho direction of Auckland. Jumped in Front of Engine "When about 15 yards from the crossing I noticed a woman walking between the main line and tho loop oh which we were travelling," said John Gilbert Ashley, the fireman on the engine. "She had her back to the engine and carried a number of parcels. She appeared to bo walking into danger and I called out to the driver to sound tho whistle and I also called out to her. The woman appeared to realise the danger and jumped in front of the engine."

Evidence that he had been told by the fireman to sound the whistle and to stop was given by the engine driver, Walter Henry Edward Clapp. He had not seen the woman, as he was on the other side of tho cab.

To the coroner witness said people were so used to crossing the line instead of using the bridge that they used it like a footpath. "We have to watch them at that road crossing," he added, "as it is one of the most dangerous we have."

William Rogers, the shunter in charge of the train, said he heard the whistle sounded, and the emergency brakes were applied. He gave what assistance ho could to the injured woman until a doctor arrived. Notices Ignored

In answer to the coroner witness said people ignored the notices against their using the line to cross over. seemed to think they had a right to go over it. Mr. Hunt: Are there notices there?

Witness: There is one indicating that people must go over only by the overhead bridge.

A verdict that deceased died from injuries she received when accidentally knocked over by a shunting train was returned.