A MAN'S TWO HANDS CUT OFF BY A RAILWAY TRAIN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3683, 4 May 1883, Page 3

A MAN'S TWO HANDS CUT OFF BY A RAILWAY TRAIN.

Blenheim, This day. The afternoon train yesterday brought up a man named Charles Cook, qf Para, to tho Blenheim Hospital, who had both his hands cut oft" cm the railway. It appears that the afternoon train from Picton had just turijcd one of the curves on the line between Para and Tuamarania, when the engine driver perceived a man lying full longth across the mils. He at once put on tho brakes, but, perceiving that the train could not be brought to a stand still before the ■ spot where the man lay Avas reached, Fireman J. Hunter jumped from the engine, and ran along the line just ahead of the engine, and at great personal risk succeeded in dragging the man's body clear of the rails, but was unable to pull him .sufficiently clear before the engine came up and completely severed one hand at the wrist, and cut the other hand right across the palm below the thumb to the third finger. The unfortunate man was placed in the train and conveyed to the Hospital i here. The sufferer's name is Charles : Cook, a mill hand at Para. The right arm ! has been amputated below the elbow, but it is hoped to save two of the fingers of_ the other hand. The man had been drinking, l and had fallen asleep.