DEATH OF MR. F. A. CLAUDE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 140, 14 June 1911, Page 8

DEATH OF MR. F. A. CLAUDE.

THE HERO OF THE RUNAWAY TRAIN. Mr. Francis Arthur Claude, whose pluck and promptitude saved the South-ern-bound Main Trunk express from disaster at Otahuhu on Easter Monday, passed away at the District Hospital last evening at the early age of 33 years, after suffering for several weeks from a severe attack of pleurisy. Mr. Claude's action in boarding the runaway •train at imminent risk and averting a catastrophe by applying the Westinghouse brake will not soon be forgotten, as but for his courage and promptitude the consequences would almost certainly have marked a black day indeed in the railway history of this Dominion. The Government presented him with a cheque for £50. Among the passengers on the express was the Governor (Lord Islington) who has made frequent inquiries as to the condition of Mr. Claude since his admission to the Hospital. The consequences to the health of Mr. Claude were, however, serious, and his medical attendants consider that the. shock to his system from the trying ordeal through .which he passed that night has contributed largely to his early demise. So fixed had the incident become in his mind, in fact, that he repeatedly referred to it in his delirium. j The deceased leaves a widow and two ! young children.