LOCO TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1929, Page 6

LOCO TRAGEDY

SMOKER. SCALDED. I (Bv Telegraph—Press Association}. AUCKLAND, October 2. A verdict of accidental death by scalding was returned at the inquest on Cyili) Pereival George Hobbs, a young man, employed as fireman by the Public Works Department on the Westfield railway deviation, who was severely scalded while working on an engine, and died on September 15. Arthur William Everest, driver of the engine, said the engine was proceeding in reverse, pushing five trucks, the truck next to the engine being loaded With timber. Approaching Punmure Station, the train was stop pod near a bridge to pick up a number of trucks, and witness alighted to couple up, leaving the deceased in charge of the engine. ' M itness heard a rush of steam, and ran back to the engine. Ho then saw that a cement mixing board on the truck next the engine bad been forced through the woodwork of the cab, pinning the deceased against the reversing gear, while it had broken a pipe on the boiler to escape. Witness rescued the deceased. Trevor Edward Lambert, who loaded the truck, admitted be knew that screen was on tho line but lie thought it would be clear of the board. The train was going at only about two miles an hour at tho time, and the extreme edge of the hoard caught an upright on the screen. This was the first train he had loaded to pass the screen, which he had not passed picviously.