NARROW ESCAPE FROM INSTANT DEATH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 252, 25 May 1882, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE FROM INSTANT DEATH.

An accident of rather a sensational ,-characlor occurred yesterday afternoon "to a pasienger, or, rather, to two passengers, who were travelling by the ordinary train which left Hawcra for New Plymouth at three o'clock. It appears that a carpenter, named Oulstan, who is well kuown in the district, and who at present resides at Normanby, had, during the earlier pail of tbe day, been in Hawcra; -where lie, no doubt out of pure loyalty to the sovereign of his adopted country — he being a foreigner, — had imbibed ■rather freely. At tbe time indicated, Gulsf an, accompanied by his wife, took tV«>ir Boats in the train, with tickets for U ■ jf>.raianby Extension station. The

guard, on collecting Oulstan's tickets, informed him that the train would not stop at that station. Oulstan had a few augry words with the railway official, to whom he expressed his determination of jumping off the train at the Extension. The guard having cautioned the man, proceeded to another carriage. On nearing the Extension, Ouktan rose from his seat and went on to the platform of tho carriage, upon which were soveral other persons, among whom was Mr. George Hurley, of llanaia. Oulstan wouldappear to have caught hold of Mr. Hurley at the instant he jumped from the carriage, and the consequence was that both men fell, Oulstan holding on to the foot-board or some other portion of the carriage, under the wheels of which he inevitably must have passed but for the presence of mind of Mr. Hurley, who managed to drag the inebriate clear of the train, which was moving at about the speed of eight miles per hour. The escape of both men from severe injury was almost miraculous. Oulstan sustained a nasty cut on the forehead, but beyond this was not hurt. The injuries to Mr. Hurley were limited to a rather severe wound or cut on his left hand.