KILLED ON CROSSING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 9 January 1931, Page 9

KILLED ON CROSSING

AGED CARRIER.

VERDICT AT INQUEST

A verdict that deceased met his death as the result of injuries received when his lorry collided with the New Plymouth relief express was the verdict of the coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham, at the inquiry at Palmerston North into the circumstances surrounding the death of John Henry O’Neill, aged 58, a carrier, who lost his life in a level crossing accident at the Fitzroy crossing on December 24. Robert James Boyd, driver of the express, said that the speed -of the train when approaching the Terrace End station was 40 miles per hour. This was not exceptional, as the maximum speed allowed was 50 miles per hour. The whistle was blown from the cemetery almost to the Fitzroy crossing, when a further warning was sounded. The lorry was on the fire- , man’s side, and witness said that he I did not see it until it was swung j around by the engine. The lorry had j almost cleared the line. The engine was immediately pulled up. ■ The fireman on the train, Alvin Roi ! Syder, said that he saw the lorry approaching the crossing at a slow speed, and thought that it was the intention of the driver to stop. The lorry continued on, and he then gave a sharp olast of the whistle, which the driver did not appear to hear. When on tire lines O’Neill apparently saw the engine and attempted to accelerate, but was struck when almost clear of the rails. A youth who saw the accident said that the driver of the truck did not look up or down the track before proceeding over the crossing. .O Neill was thrown on to the track, his head 1 being badly gashed.