WITNESS COMMENDED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 47, 19 November 1936, Page 8

WITNESS COMMENDED

Attempt to Prevent Train Accident EVIDENCE AT INQUEST The inquest into the death of Arthur Frederick Bush, adjourned from September 18 last, was concluded in Wellington yesterday before the coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertson, .I.l’. Deceased hail died on September 5 as the result of being involved in a train accident at Paraparaumu on August 30, when the Auckland express ran into a slip on the line. Senior-Sergeant J. Dempsey conducted Ihe proceedings for the police. The only evidence was that of William Howell, dairy-farmer, Taraparaumu. Witness said that he was getting in the cows for milking at about 6.25 a.m. on August 30. when, on looking toward the railway line about a quarter of a mile away he saw a great clay mass which he considered to be on the line. Realising the danger to the Auckland express, which he knew to be about due, he immediately ran toward a signal near the station about a quarter of a mile away, intending to cut through the wire connecting the signal with an axe and so cause the signal arm. which was at “safety,” to rise up to “danger.” He ran fast and was about 50 yards from the railway line when he heard the train whistle. He wared his hands when the train came into view and pointed toward the slip. The engine-driver was looking toward him, but witness could not say whether the driver saw him. He appeared to take no notice. “I saw the train run into the slip,” witness continued. “I knew the driver could not stop when he passed me.” There was a slight bend where the station and signal were, said witness, and he was quite sure the slip was not visible to the engine-driver. “It was not visible from where I was standing and waved,” he added. “I don't think it was possible for the driver to be aware of the slip until the accident occurred.” The coroner commended witness for his prompt action in endeavouring to stop the train. “I think you did very well,” he said. “It was a commendable action —sensible, wise, and proper. Yon tried to save life.” The coroner found that deceased died at the IVellington Public Hospital on September 5, 1936, from hypostatic pneumonia and heart failure and shock following injuries received in a railway accident at Paraparaumu on August 30 last.