UNAWARE OF DANGER

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 66, 11 December 1930, Page 12

UNAWARE OF DANGER

Level-Crossing Accident AGED MAN’S DEATH Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North. December 10. A verdict of death through misadventure. with no blame attachable to any person, was returned by tlie coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham, at an inquiry into the' circumstances surrounding the death of John Carian. the aged fishmonger who collided with the south-bound New Plymouth express at the Victoria Street level crossing on December 2. Dr C. King said that an investigation revealed a compound fracture of the skull. This, with laceration of the braiii, was sufficient to cause almost instantaneous death. Charles Hastings, of Palmerston North, an eye-witness of the accident, said that he beard the train sound a warning blast and later heard the screech of the brakes. Deceased had a load of grass which was projecting over the sides of his milk float. He did not appear to notice the approaching tram and drove ca to the crossing. He thought that the engine-driver could not have averted the collision. . The driver of the engine, Arthur Hastings, said that he sounded the whistle when the train - was about 300 yards from the crossing, but it was not the train had proceeded another 200 vards that he noticed Carian attempting to cross the lines. He applied the brakes immediately, but could not avert a collision. It appeared to him that deceased might have succeeded in crossing the lines if the horse had not hesitated. Deceased had not apparently seen the engine until it was virtually on him. The tram was travelling at 35 miles an hour, there being no restriction in this area.