LATE ROY DEVON

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 12007, 27 April 1936, Page 2

LATE ROY DEVON

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST CORONER’S VERDICT. An inquest concerning the death of Mr Roy Devon, a resident of Matapihi. was held at the courthouse on Friday afternoon, before Mr A. F. Tuuks, coroner.

Constable McKenzie represented the police. Charles William Ilaua, a member of the Tauranga Rowing Club, stated that on April 6 about G. 15 p.m., he was standing by the rowing shed in the vicinity of the railway bridge. Noticed several people walking across the railway bridge towards Malapihi. One of them was about two spans behind the others. Also observed a goods train approaching the bridge from Te Puke. The curve in the bridge would prevent the men walking on it from seeing the train coming until they rounded the bend. As the men in front rounded the bend they went to the side of the bridge, but the man in the rear would not see the train until it rounded the bend and was close to him. When that man noticed the train he went to the side and got on the cross girder, where he appeared to squat down. When the englne’was about half its length past him saw the man fall from the bridge. Mr Tui Harvey and witness procured a rowing boat and recovered Devon from the water. Mr C. Cameron then came along in his motor boat and the man was transferred to it. The train was travelling at its usual speed and pulled up as soon as the man fell.

Frederick George Smardon, en-gine-driver employed by the Railways Department, stated that on April 6 he was In charge of the train which left Te Maunga at 6.5 p.m. for Paeroa. Arrived at the Tauranga harbour bridge about 6.15 p.m. Did not see anybody on the bridge. Sounded the whistle on the embankment about half-way between Matapihi and the bridge. About three parts of the way across the bridge saw three or four Maoris on the outside of the girders. Those Maoris were on the Matapihi side of the bend. As he rounded the bend saw another Maori on the cross girder about the engine’s length away. He was crouching down. The front part of the engine cleared the man all right. He then appeared to straighten himself up and the bogey box under the cab struck him on the right shoulder with the result that he was knocked into the harbour. Witness had applied the Westinghouse brake before striking the man, and the train was pulled up shortly after. Had seen people on the bridge previously and they were always on the outside of the girders. At the time of the accident the train was travelling at twenty-five miles an hour. Witness believed that had the man remained in his original position, the accident would not have happened. Peter Pakaru, a Maori, of Matapihi, stated that on the evening of April 6 he was crossing the railway bridge with other natives. Roy Devon was behind them and stopped to speak to somebody in a boat. On rounding the bend in the bridge noticed a goods train coming. Looked back for Devon, but could not see him. Witness and his companions got out on to the girders and as the train was approaching close looked back and saw Devon. He was walking on the middle of the line. Called out to Devon to get off the line as a train was coming. Did mot see the train hit him. Devon had had some liquor, but was quite able to walk and look after himself. There were notices on the bridge prohibiting people from walking on it. Knew he had no right to be on the' bridge. William Cooper, stationmaster at Tauranga, stated the railway harbour bridge was used solely for railway purposes, and there was no provision for pedestrian or other traffic on it. There were notices at each end, about 90 feet away from the bridge, with the warning: “All persons trespassing will be prosecuted.” There was no one in charge of the bridge.

Constable G.-F. McKenzie stated that about 5.55 p.m. on April 6 he saw Roy Devon, in company with a native, named Richards, get on to the railway near The Triangle and walk in the direction of the railway bridge. Devon showed signs of having had liquor, but was not drunk. He could walk all right and knew what he was doing. About'6.2o p.m. heard that a man had been hit by a train on the railway bridge and knocked into the harbour. While proceeding to the bridge 'heard that the man was picked up and was being conveyed to the wharf. Met the launch at the wharf and ■ identified the injured man as Roy Devon. Witness sent for the doctor and the ambulance. Dr. Mark arrived and after examination ordered the removal of Devon to the hospital. Accompanied Dr. Mark in the ambulance, with Devon, who died on the way to the hospital. The body was conveyed to the morgue. Dr. J. Mark slated that on April 6, about 6.15 p.m., he was called to the Tauranga Wharf to see Roy Devon, who had just been removed from the harbour. On witness’s arrival Devon was having artificial respiration performed by Mr C. Cameron on the latter’s launch. Devon commenced to breathe naturally. He was very ill and did not regain consciousness. He was then removed to the St. John ambulance and witness accompanied him in the vehicle. Devon ceased breathing about halfway to the hospital. Artificial respiration was given without avail. Devon died about 0,45 p.m. Made an examination of the body. Devon had a compound fracture of the right upper arm and extensive fractures of the ribs on the right side, also evidence of injury to the right lung. He had also inspired a good deal of water. The cause of death was shock following extensive injuries, death being hastened by partial drowning.

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from injuries received by being knocked off the Tauranga harbour railway bridge by an engine and subsequent immersion in the water. - The Coroner also added that no

blame was attachable to anyone. The bridge was purely a railway bridge and no person had any right to be on it. The accident rather emphasised the need for a traffic bridge, even if only for foot traffic, across the harbour.