ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1926, Page 18

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

THE LOWER HUTT FATALITY.

The inquest on Michael M'Cauley, who was killed at White's Line East ou Saturday morning last by being run over by a ballast train, was concluded before the Coroner (Mr. W. G. Kiddell, S.M.), yesterday afternoon. Evidence was given that the deceased's eyesight and hearing were good. The drain-laying operations on which he was engaged commenced later than usual on Saturday, and he remained at a shed to change his boots while his companion crossed the line to the tool-box. The shed was only a few feet from the rails. Harold Hugh Stevens, the fireman of the engine, said they were proceeding at | about six miles an hour when the deceased suddenly came out from behind the shed and walked right into the leading ! truck. ' The first truck was about 100 feet in front of the engine. Witness immediately called out "Brakes" to the driver, and the train was pulled up in about 30 yards. The man had not appeared to look in either direction. The whistle was blowing at the time, and both witness and the driver were keeping a good lookout. Arthur John Stuart-Moray, the driver, gave corroborative evidence. The fireman was not allowed to fire the engine at crossings, and both had their eyes on the track ahead when the accident occurred. Asked if the accident could have been avoided if a man had been placed on the leading truck, witness said that such a place would be very dangerous,- as several of the trucks had capsized when going round sharp bends at various times. In returning a verdict of accidental death, the Coroner said that it was hard to understand how the deceased came to be killed. It was clear that he was not aware the trucks were so close, or he would have waited for them to pass or else crossed before they reached him. The trucks were- travelling at a reasonable speedj and the only inference that could be reached was that the deceased was thinking of something > else at the time, and had hig attention distract id from the approaching train. No negligence could attach to either the driver or fireman.