COLLISION WITH JIGGER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1930, Page 5

COLLISION WITH JIGGER.

SAFETY REGULATIONS SHOULD BE STRICTLY OBSERVED.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., This Day.

At the inquest on John Fitzgerald, railway surfaceman, who was killed when the jigger on which he was riding with a companion was struck by the Auckland express between Te Horo and Waikanae on Saturday, March Ist, deceased’s companion said when they first stopped to look for the express they saw no sign of it and decided to go to the next crossing. When within a short distance of their objective, he heard a whistle and told his mate to jump out. Fitzgerald got his foot caught in the extra board on the jigger parallel to the outrigger which made a trap for the foot and was thus imprisoned. But for this deceased would have had time to escape. No blame was attached to the driver who pulled up the train in loss than its length. To the coroner witness said the extra board on the jigger made the working of it easier. The coroner commented on the lack of judgment that had been shown by both men in not getting off the line sooner when they knew the express was due. Regulations rgarding the’ safety time margin should be strictly observed. As to the board attachment which is said to be an improvement on the machine he suggested that the Railway Department should investigate and see that it is made safe. Apparently the board had ben a contributory cause, of the accident. The verdict was that deceased died from shock following injuries r’eceived through a collision between a train and jigger.