A SHOCKING FATALITY

Evening Star, Issue 16529, 14 September 1917, Page 5

A SHOCKING FATALITY

ELDERLY MAN FRIGHTFULLY MANGLED, DECAPITATED BY CABLE CAB. A chocking accident at the Kaikorai terminus of the Dunedia and RoaJyn Tram line last nitfht resulted in,.ths decapitation of an elderly man ■whose identity -was at first doubtful, but ■who has aince been identified as Frederick John Sibbald, of Mansion! street, Kaikorai.

The 7.20 p.av cable car from the City was on the big grade to the valley and within about 14 chains, of the waiting ehed when both Gripman Charles Henry Smith and Conductor Albert Day saw a man on his hands and knees between tho two seta of rails, and nearer the up Tails than tho3o the car was descending on. Aa he. knelt, the man was clear from danger, but the aripman rang his belL At the moment waßn the car was nearly abreast of him the man rose and lurched or swung himself Tfeht over in front of it. The gripman had already applied his brakes—including the emergency Fell bTake—and he pulled up in about 10 feet, but not before the car had passed" clean over the body, which remained caught underneath. It was a dreadful spectacle, for the severed head rolled from under the car and down the hill. Tho police and a doctor were at once telephoned for, and. Plain-clothes Constables Kelly and Beer .and Dr Evans were quickly on the spot. But it took 90 minutes to release the shattered body. The right arm had been almost severed at the shoulder, the right thigh and ankle were broken, the latt leg and arm were fractured, and the left hand,was almost severed at the wrist.

The -unfortunate man was 67 years of age and married, but had no children. He and his wife lived at Broad Bay for somo time, but latterly • have Teaided in Mansford street, Kaikorai, an old friend Mr Alfred Simmons (it was he who identified the . body) living with them. Yesterday afternoon all thieo wore in town, and Mrs Slbbald and Mr Simmons returned homo about 5 pja., the deceased remaining behind. It appears to bo established that he travelled to Kaikorai by tho 7.10 p.Bi. tram, and how he came to be on the line at 7.32 p.m. is not known. He followed the occupation of woolclasser for some months in the year, but also had-an allowance from the estate of ihls father, who waa once proprietor of the Provincial Hotel. His brother, Mr Wm. Sibbakj, was formerly Collector of Customs at Dunedin, and during the war period has taken over the same duties at Blenheim.

The remains were taken to the Morgue, where an inquest will he formally opened Vo-morrow morning and then adjourned.