ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9093, 2 May 1890, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

[BY ELECTRIC [Special to Press Association.] [Received May 1, at 3.45 p.m,] SYDNEY, Mat 1, THE BATHUEST DISASTER. At the inquest on those killed in the recent railway accident at Bathurst, a verdict was returned that the cause was accidental. A rider was added recommending the use of side couplings, pending the fitting of the rolling stock with strong gear.

[Per Press Association.] MASTEETON, Mat 1. A man named Tekler, twenty-two years old, was killed at Eketahmia by a falling tree. GENERAL ELPHINSTONE’S DEATH. The following particulars regarding the drowning of General Eiphinstone have come to hand;—At half-past nine o’clock at night when the Tongariro was at the mouth of the Channel, General Eiphinstone came on the saloon deck to look at the lights of Ushant, which were then coming into view. He stood talking on the deck with Mr Vivian, junr., and was standing just before the chart room on the port side of the steamer. Mr Vivian was sitting on the skylight. Sir Howard facing him. The weather was clear, with a fresh wind, and a somewhat rough sea. The ship was occasionally rolling, although not heavily, and it is evident that General Eiphinstone thought lightly of the rolling, as he might easily have steadied himself by holding on to the bars of the skylight or to the window of the chart room, which were both within his reach. But presently there came a heavier roll than before, and as the vessel was recovering from it Sir Howard slipped. Ho was thrown against the gunwale chains, and, turning a complete somersault, went overboard. The fourth officer and Mr Vivian both saw the General fall on a partially open port below, and roll thence into the water. The engines were immediately reversed. A patent life-buoy bearing a light was thrown overboard and a boat lowered with all despatch. The ship cruised around the spot for two hours, but no sign of the General was discovered, and the search was reluctantly abandoned.