KILLED ON BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 189, 11 August 1934, Page 17

KILLED ON BRIDGE.

TOKOMARU TRAIN TRAGEDY. NO OXE HELD TO BLAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Assoqiation.) PALjIERSTON NORTH, this day. A verdict that deceased was accidentally killed on tho bridge over the Tokonuiru Stream through being struck by the engine of an excursion train on Sunday morning last was returned, at tlio inquest to-day on Joseph Henry Liggins (55), a farmer, of Tokomaru. Edwin Andrews, engine driver on the train, gave evidence that when approaching the bridge he saw a man come up the embankment about ten yards in front of the engine and attempt to cross the line. He looked toward the engine, and witness presumed he- saw it. Witness sounded a warning whistle, but the man proceeded to cross the line at a right angle to the engine. Witness then lost sight of him. After crossing the bridge witness expected to see the man, who was not then on the bridge. Witness stopped the train and examined the engine thoroughly, but found no marks to indicate that tho man had been struck. Thinking everything all right, witness proceeded on his journey, being satisfied the man had got clear.

Frederick Bicknell, guard on the train, said he walked back along the lino and saw nothing to suggest any trouble. There were no remarks by passengers. A son of deceased gave evidence of finding his father's body on a bank of tlio stream under tho bridge after a search. Constable Blackic described deceased's injuries and marks on tlio bridge. He said it was evident that deceased had been struck by the- train and thrown against the eide of the bridge. Then he had fallen about 25ft to the bed of the stream. In giving his verdict, the coroner added that no blame was attachable to tho railway officials.