CORONER'S SUGGESTION

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 132, 1 December 1945, Page 9

CORONER'S SUGGESTION

SHUNTING ON WHARF

In returning, a verdict that Ralph Horsfall Ward, ship's carpenter, died from multiple injuries received when he was struck and run over by a railway truck on the King's Wharf on November 22, the Coroner, Mr. W. G. L. Mellish, stated at the inquest yesterday that he would like to make the suggestion that the Railways Department might avoid shunting at the particular time when the men were returning to work. Evidence was given that Ward was hard of hearing and apparently he walked too close to the railway tracks.

It seemed that Ward was unaware of the approach of the trucks, the Coroner said, and did not know he was in danger until he was struck. Owing to a curve in the track at that point it was quite impossible for the engine driver to have seen him.

Evidence was given that there were two shunters assisting with the shunt, which consisted^ of a l-ake of three meat trucks. The shunters had found it necessary to warn waterside workers from crossing the tracks, but a numiber persisted in jumping across in front of the advancing trucks. One shunter had been guarding a crossing, but as the trucks drew level with him he ran forward with them. He then saw Ward walking near the tracks and with his back to the trucks. The shunter called out and gave the signal to stop, the shunt stopping in a short distance. The deceased had been struck, however, and his body was wedged between the wheels of the. leading truck. '|

The Coroner did not think anything had arisen out of the evidence for a rider to the verdict, but he did think that shunting might be delayed at that particular time. "I put it forward merely as a suggestion," he concluded.