SURGING CROWD CAUSES ACCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 21991, 29 March 1935, Page 15

SURGING CROWD CAUSES ACCIDENT

THE LYTTELTON FAREWELL TO DUKE VICTIM SEEKS COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE [From Our Paruamektarv Reporter.] WELLINGTON, March 28. During the crush on the platform of the Lyttelton railway station following the. departure of the Duke of Gloucester, A Christchurch married woman, Mrs Marquet, was accidentally pushed beneath a moving carriage, sustaining serious injuries. Her husband, A. Marquet, petitioned Parliament praying for a compassionate allowance on account of the injuries sustained by his wife. This was referred to the Government by the Public Petition# Committee tor favourable consideration, the report being adopted by the House this attexnoon. . . T . Mr Howard explained that the Lyttelton railway platform _ was very crowded on the occasion of the accident, and when the train came m everyone moved forward to got a seat, with the result that Mrs Marquet was pushed beneath a carriage, one leg being taken off and the .other badly mangled. H© did not think tbo Kailway Department was guilty of negligence, for it was an extraordinarily big crowd, and its handling was very fair. Petitioner was not laying any charge of negligence against the department, but her circumstances were poor, bhe could not even afford to get an artificial limb to replace the one which had been amputated. As two Ministers of the Crown were on the scene at the time, the Government would know all the circumstances, and he commended the case to their sympathetic consideration. “ Only my forethought in moving away from a dangerous position with my wife and daughter saved all ot us from being placed in the same position as the petitioner,” declared Mr Kyle, who strongly urged the claim for consideration. The Railway Department did not have any idea of the crowd which would congregate to say goodbye to the Duke. There was an unprecedented crush on the platform, because heavy rain had commenced, and the people rushed for shelter. When the train came in people rushed forward to get away at the first opportunity. He saw this danger, and instead of waiting on the platform, he took his family 50yds away, and to the other side of the carriages, where they were able safely to climb up the steps. Petitioner’s son was also pushed down with her, but bo was pulled out with no injuries. Still another member of the House was able to speak from personal knowledge of the accident, Mr H. Holland stating that it was due to the crowd taking possession of the platform. He also pleaded for special consideration for the injured woman.