GLENAVY RAILWAY FATALITY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 112, 5 February 1919, Page 6

GLENAVY RAILWAY FATALITY

A PECULIAR ACCIDENT.

By Telegraph—Presa Association.

Waimate, February 4.

At an inquest on Charles Jl'Crossan, killed on January 29 lit Glenavy, the evidence disclosed that he was a passenger from JForver. to O&marn by a mixed train. After shunting had been completed at Glenavy, the train had moved up to bring the ears opposite the platform. A van was on the southern end arid the engine on the northern end of the long train. The jerk was_ terrific. Two passengers were yarning in the guard's van. One, William Woods, was knocked flat; the other, M'Crossan. was leaning against the iron jamb of the sliding door, which w;w fihut with the jolt of the train, smashing M'Crossan's head and causing instant death. Deceased's pipe and hat fell outside t.ho train, but the body fell on the floor of the van. Woods wns so dazed ho could not tell what had .happened. When deceased was picked up both Ilis hands wore still in his trousers pockets. The glass in the end door of the van was broken by the impact. The engine-driver, John Patrick Leiirh, stated thnt he had been driving for twelve years, and 'had never had any trouble. He reduced about Gib. on getting the signal to stop, then made small reductions till the train stopped within seven or eight wagon lengths of the first reduction. The guard (Hughson) state/I that tho brake went on on the front of tho train first, and on the rear of the train a few seconds after, causing it to run up and bump. The verdict was that deceased was killed by the sudden stoppage of the train, and that nobody in particular was blamablo at the present time.