BRIDGE TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 3, 5 January 1926, Page 5

BRIDGE TRAGEDY

DEPRESSED MAN'S SUICIDE,

(ix mist-pa.—miss association.)

- AUCKLAND, 4th January. Graf ton Bridge was the scene of another, tragedy to-day, when Alfred E. Hanscomb, aged about 45 years, climbed to the parapet at the highest point'on the bridge, and rolled off to crash to his death in Grafton Gully. The fatality occurred about 12.15, when a number of people were crossing the bridge. ' ' Deceased ■■■ was noticed walking to* and' fro prior to climbing the. parapet, and it was when his side of the footpath was,clear of pedestrians that he acted. Several . people saw him climb to the top, and before he could be reached he had rolled over' the edge. ...■•.■'■.■-,.. .'...- Constables Tucker and Kelly found the body in some tangled undergrowth. The man was then dead. His injuries consisted, of ~ • fractured neck, fractured ribs, - and fractured thigh. It was stated that death must have been 1 instantaneous.

It appears that the deceased was a married man.with -six children, the youngest-being seven years of age. He resided at 12, SaekviUe street. Grey Lyrfn. He was employed as a mo tor man on the Auckland City Tramways, and as far as can be ascertained, had been so employed for the past 14 years. Ho was last on duty oji Saturday, and was due to start again af 3 pjn. to-day. ■■....

Tho last Graftori Bridge sensation occurred, last Tuesday, when a young man threw himself over from, practically the same spot.

..The fow papers found on the dead man showed him to, be a member of tho Loyal Orange Lodge. Inquiries at hia home showed that he had been worried for' some time. He left two notes, in one of which he stated that ho was tired of it all and wa3 afraid of going blind.

His !wifo, who had been in poor health for some time, stated that her husband had been worried about reports from the head office. On Saturday ho was in his. usual state of health; but yesterday he seemed worried, and was continually asking his children to kiss him. This morning he had been working in the garden. and left the house at about 11.20 a.m. to buy some nails. He informed his wife that if he did not return by 3 p.m. she would know it was all right as he would'be going to see a man about a position on a farm at lussell. The parties had been happily ■..■-irried. . . ...