STRUCK BY ENGINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 August 1934, Page 8

STRUCK BY ENGINE

INQUEST ON VICTIM (By Telegraph—Press Association) PALMERSTON N, 9th August. A verdict that the deceased was accidentally killed on tho bridge over the Tokomaru Stream through being struck by the engine of an excursion train on Sunday morning was returned , at an inquest regarding the death of ,'lose.f h Henry Liggins, aged 55, a farmer, of Tokomaru, The Coroner added that no blame was attachable to the railway officials. Edwin Andrews, enginedriver, said that when approaching the bridge he saw a man come up the embankment about ten yards in front of the engine. He attempted to cross the line. He looked towards the engine and witness presumed that he saw it. Witness sounded a warning whistle but the man proceeded to cross the line at a right angle to the engine. Witness then lost sight of him. After crossing the bridge witness expected to see the man, who was not then on the bridge. Witness stopped ’ the train and examined the engine thoroughly, hut found no marks to indicate that the man hail been struck. ’J kinking everything was all right lie proceeded on the journey, being satislied that the man had got clear. Frederick Bicknell, guard, said that lie walked back along the line and saw nothing to suggest any trouble. A son of tiie deceased gave evidence of the .finding of his father’s body on the hank of the stream under the bridge. I Constable Blackie described the deceased’s injuries and marks on the bridge. He said that evidently tlis deceased had been struck by the train, thrown against the side of the bridge, and then fallen about 25 feet to the bed of the stream.