ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Evening Star, Volume 8505, Issue 8505, 2 May 1891, Page 2

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Henry Burns, a sailor, about lifty-oue years of age, who had for some time past been under treatment at the hospital for injury to the knee, and was only discharged yesterday morniug, was received into that institution again last -night suffering from a broken thigh and a fracture of the ankle of the right leg, lb appears that Burns was walking on the railway line in the direction of Ravensbourne —in itself a very dangerous proceeding under the circumstances, the night being intensely dark with a drizzling rain, and the only means of crossing the bridge being a narrow plank between the lines of rails. He was on the bridge when a train approached, and by great exertions succeeded in just reaching the end and steppiag sufficiently aside to avoid the engine, but not to escape being struck by the step of one of the carriages and thrown down some 4ft on to heavy boulders. From there he rolled down the facing of the embankment into the lagoon. How he escaped drowning, and how he succeeded in climbing to the top of the embankment unassisted, is surprising, The man’s cries attracting attention, Mr Foote, the stationmaster at Pelichet Bay, at once telephoned to the hospital and to the Dunedin station. Dr Copland from the former and the members of the Railway Ambulance Corps from the latter were promptly in attendance, and, assisted by Sergeant O’Neill and Constable Stewart, attended to the sufferer, who was conveyed from Pelichet Bay in the hospital van, The sufferer is progressing satisfactorily. Miss Jennie M‘Lean, while riding in Albany street last evening, was thrown from her horse, and sustained several wounds on the head, Dr Copland attended to her at the hospital. It has been reported to the inspector of police that a Chinaman named Ah Hang was found dead in his but at Tuapeka Flat this morning. There were no marks of violence on the body. Deceased had been complaining for some time past of a sore throat. An inquest was to be held this afternoon.

An accident that, it is to be feared, may yet have a fatal ending occurred at Kelso early on Wednesday evening. Two surfacemen, at the close of their day’s work, were proceeding homewards along the line in a trolly, according to their usual custom, and when nearing Kelso bridge a special train suddenly dashed round the curve of a steep cutting and went straight into the trolly, One of the men, named Montgomery, retained sufficient coolness and nerve to throw himself clear of the trolly the instant the train showed itself, but his mate (Hanson) remained helplessly in his seat until the engine struck the trolly, smashing it into splinters, and almost doing the same to its unfortunate occupant, When picked up Hanson was found to be in a bad state, broken and bleeding, and presenting altogether a very battered appearance. He had several ribs broken, also one of his arms, bis bead and face very much cut and braised, besides receiving a very severe shock to his system. Very grave fears are entertained for his recovery.— ‘ Tuapeka Times.’

The circumstances connected with the death of Mr Thomas Ewart, eldest son of the manager of Traquair Station, are told by the ‘ Taieri Advocate,’ Deceased and his father were driving a number of sheep to the station, both having horses. When about six or seven miles from home Mr Ewart told his son to ride home before him, and lead his (Mr Ewart’s) horse, as he intended driving the sheep home on foot. Deceased started for home, where it is presumed he arrived about five o’clock in the evening, for his dogs were seen in the vicinity of the stable. The other members of the family prepared the tea, but deceased did not appear. Nothing serious was anticipated ; but he was searched for, and was found lying on his side in the stall of the stable. The horse which he put into the stall had the saddle and bridle off, while the other horse was found in the yard with the saddle on, Upon Doctor Cattan arriving he found Ewart dead. The doctor could not find any mark from a kick ; and deceased was always a healthy young man. If he were kicked in the stomach death might have resulted from the cause without any mark being visible, and the probabilities are that it was in this way the young man was killed, Deceased was twenty-one years of age.