RAILWAY TRAGEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 1209, 6 January 1925, Page 3

RAILWAY TRAGEDY

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PALMERSTONIAN'S DEATH. INQUEST AT WELLINGTON. The- death of an elderly man named James Sh'ecrin, a resident of Palmerston North, who was found- fatally injured, lying beside the railway line at Johnsonville on 27th December, was investigated yesterday at Wellington by the Coroner, Mr B. Page, S.M. Senior-Sergeant Lander apepired for the police. According to Dr. R. J. Mansell, bouse surgeon at Wellington Hospital, the injuries from which deceased was suffering could have been caused through his .being struck by or falling off a train. The injuries were sufficient to cause death. Albert Charles Harris, an engine-driver, residing at Paekakariki, said that he was the driver of the train which left Paekakariki for Thorndon at 6 a.m. on 27th December. Several trains had passed through overnight. As number seven tunnel at Johnsonvillo was approached (his attention was directed by his fireman to the body of a man lying beside the line, quite clear of the rails. Witness was certain that his train had not touched the body. The man, though unconscious, wae still alive, and he was placed in the 'von and brought to Wellington. Evidence was also given by Frederick Cording, who remained in the railway van with deceased on the way to Wellington. and by Constable Carmodv, who stated that tho deceased died on tho way to the hospital. Samuel George Thorn, a railway guard, said ho was on duty on the race train from Palmerston North to Thorndon, which left the former station about 5 p.m. Deceased was a passonger, and witness last saw him between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay. The Coroner found that deceased died through injuries received on 26th December through his falling from or being struck by a train near Johnsonville.