THE SHEFFIELD ACCIDENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10785, 12 October 1900, Page 6

THE SHEFFIELD ACCIDENT.

A YOUTH FATALLY INJURED WHILST SHUNTING.

DELAY IN BRINGING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.

ato vic tim of the accident at Sheffield on Vyednesday, a youth named Harold Tinsley, 16 years of ajze, was a cadet at the bheffield Railway Station. The occurrence took place about half-past five o'clock at night, Tinslev accidentally slipping between some trucks which, he was assisting the relieving station master, Mr H. P. Bridge, to shunt from a siding. Wnen Tinsley slipped he fell on his back, and one of the front wlieels of the third truck ran into him and fearfully crushed the lower part of the body. The truck did not pass right over him. however. Mr Bridge ami a man named Ross, the driver of a baker's cart, were the only persons present, and they with assistance "attempted to get the truck off Tinsley's Body, but did not succeed till some linemen arrived. Tinsley was then removed to the hotel, where he was attended to. Captain Rutherford and members of the Malvern Mounted Rifles rendered valuable assistance in dressing the wounds. The first hour after the accident Tinsley was delirious, but afterwards he came to, and Captain Rutherford had some conversation with him as to how the accident occurred, and Tinsley said: "Oh, my foot slipped, but I don't blame anyone."

Captain Rutherford, on being asked for advice as to what should be done, said that a special train should be sent for, as.foe considered it was an urgent case for hospital treatment. At five minutes to six Mr Bridge was in communication with the traffic manager at Christchiirch. and the latter <was understood to say that he could not send a special, but advised Mr Bridge to send for the nv.re-sfc doctor. Before communicating with the traffic manager, the men of the Malvern Mounted Hifles had collected amongst themselves £30 to defray the expense of the special train-, and Mr Bridge was asked to use Captain Rutherford's name when making the request for the special, and also to state that jts co«t was .guaranteed. The traffic manager, however, had informed Mr Bridge that it was not a question of money, but- whether it was necessary !to send a special train. On the decision of the traffic manager being made known, a trooper rode off nine miles to DarfijJd. and returned with Dr. Inglis ahout eieht o'clock, and the doctor ordered the youth's removal to the hospital as soon as possible. The 4.50 train from Ciiristchurch to Springfield arrived at Sheffield about twenty minutes to seven, and went on to Springfield, and th" engine and the guard's van returned to Sheffield, arriving there shortly after nine o'clock. Finally the injured youth reached- the hospital shortly before eleven o'clock, where everything possible was done to relieve him. He died, however, at two o'clock yesterday morning. Oα making enquiries at the traffic manager's office respecting the request for the despatch of the special train, a "Press' representative was informed that Mr Bridge telegraphed for a special train, but :he was informed that a train could not be sent to Sheffield under three hours, and he was advised to obtain medical assistance at once, as a doctor could be got sooner than the train could be got to Sheffield. If the doctor said that the youth ] be «nt to the hospital, a special train would be forwarded. The train was got ready in th& meantime, and when news was received that it was required, it was sent, and arrived at Sheffield shortly after tht» arrival of the doctor there. They could not have got the train out earlier t-lian they did. Harold Tinsley. the victim of this unfortunate accident, was a son of the Rev. Wm. Tinsley. Wpsleyan minister at Temuka, who, it is understood, is at present 'absent from the colony on a visit to England. Young Tinsley had not been long at Sheffield, but in the short period he had been stationed there had become popular with all. Both Mr and Mrs Tinslev are absent in England, a.sister of young Tinsley is at Temuka. and a brother is staying with some friends at Ashburton. I

An inquest is to be held at the Hospital at 2 o'clock this afternoon.