RAILWAY FATALITY

Evening Star, Issue 16550, 9 October 1917, Page 4

RAILWAY FATALITY

The coroner (Mr Young, S.M.) held art inquest this afternoon on the tody oi James Douglas, a man of 82 years, who lived at Athol,' and who was run over at Dunedin station by a shunting train on Saturday evening, receiving injuries from which ho died,in Dunedin Hospital yesterday morning. George Arthur Collis, of Athol, identified the body, and stated deceased was an old age pensioner. He was inclined to taks fits, and had not been in Dunedin for 20 years. Dr Hanron, assistant house surgeon, said deceased was admitted at 8 p.m. on Saturday, and his left leg was amputated. He gradually, failed, the causo of death being shock, following tlio injuries. Constable Aimes said he saw deceased when the 6.35 p.m. ezpress came in from tho south on Saturday evening. The guard drew witness's attention to the man, stating he had a lot of money in his possession. Witness went up, and found that ho was quito sober. Deceased wont along to tho south gate of the platform. The guard said later that • ho had put the man in charge of an expressman. Ho did not seem to require assistance. John Scott Crawford, guard, said that at 7.30 p.m; he was standing in the guards' room, and some cars were being shunted. He heard a moan, and passed tho remark that someone had been caught. Ho ran out across the permanent way, and blew his whistle in signal to put, on brakes, in the hope that the driver or guard of tho train would hear. After ho had whistled twice the brakes were put on. They found the deceased lying on hist back a foot from the line. He remarked that his leg was broken. Dr Gordon MaodonaJd had been sent for, and tho deceased was taken into tho guards' room. Wm. Cameron, guard on tho south express, said deceased joinod..tho train at Gore. When tho train left Gore witness noticed that the man was slightly off hii head, but ho gave no trouble. At Caversham he was going to leave tho carriage, asking if this was Tnvcrca.rgill, but witness got lum back, and at Dunedin drew tho constablo's attention to the man and also tho attention of the foreman. The man was not fit to be travelling alone. Thr assistant guard (Waugli) saw deceased of tfee pisiform. (Left sitting.)