LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9634, 14 June 1919, Page 5

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

GGRa^ER f3 CGftftViENTS

BALMEIISTOM NOE-TH^Juie 18

"When''returning- a verdict of accidental death s-t 'the inquest concerning the.death of Jean Pedersen, aged 10 years,, who was run over at a level crossing at Bunnythorpe by the_ New Plymouth-Wellington express train on May 27, the Coroner, Mr Pago, S.M., stated that the train was _ evidently travelling towards the crossing at a high rate.of speed. The "whistle was properly sounded, but on. account of an adverse wind, tho sound of the Yi'hiatJe of the approaching train was not so no ticca bio as> it might have beon under ot!ier, conditions. It was e'ear that if the children in the trap ha<l taken proper precautions- 'they'"'"would have seen the train approaching and, averted the tragic occurrence. . Tl)-8 Coroner added the following rkler:—"Wha-evor may be the legal position of the ]?ai{-\ya-y Dopartment, I think ,in tlie- public' interest, that at crossings such as this there shouM be so-me-thiitg in the nature of an automatic alarm bell to give warning of approaching trains. The crossing is in the centre of a small. township and is used a good deal, fjeme trains pass over tho crossing. at great ■ipeed. If (Vich a bell had been installed the child 'would not h,?',••:' .iost its life. Although an adult m the possession of normal faculties would not be caught at this crossing, \ci it must be remembered that the erassmpr i« used by children, who rosy be : though'fckjsß; also by others, who- may be elderly'people, wlit>se faculties may not bo keen.''