UNFENCED LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 74, 24 September 1936, Page 10

UNFENCED LINE

RAILWAY FATALITY

MATTER FOR DEPARTMENT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

Following comments made by a woman witness at an inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Jane Jackson, who died as a result of being struck by a train when attempting to cross the line in Main Street not at a recognised crossing, Mr. A. H. Northover, appearing for the Railway Department, intimated that he would bring the question of the fencing of the line before the Department.

"It is terrible to live in Main Street," declared Mrs. Irwin, who was an eyewitness of the fatality. She said she had had many shocks while she had been living there, and she would shift if she could get another house. On one occasion. she rushed out to a boy 18 months of age, who was sitting on the line when an express was coming. Had the father not jumped the fence of his residence and rushed out the boy might have been killed. Children did not know any better. She had seen children playing on the line and an engine whistling repeatedly to get them out of the way. The witness suggested that the line be fenced.

The line is unfenced east of ths Post Office in the main part of the city.

The Coroner gave a verdict of accidental death, and exonerated .the driver.

The husband of the deceased said Mrs. Jackson had stated that she had suddenly become ill when crossing the line and failed to hear the train.