SHOCKING ACCIDENTS ON THE RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 7

SHOCKING ACCIDENTS ON THE RAILWAY.

MOUNT ALBERT RESIDENT ~ KILLED.

FALLS BETWEEN RAILWAY

CARRIAGES.

THOSE persons who were on the Mount Albert railway station on Saturday night, and some of the passengers by the eleven o'clock train from Auckland to Henderson, had the painful experience of seeing Mr. Albert Edward Brookes meet his death by tailing between the carriages. It appears that Mr. Brookes, who was a resident of Mount Albert, boarded the train at Kingsland with the intention of returning home. When the train was approaching the Mount Albert station the deceased rose from his seat, as also did some of the other passengers, and stepped out on the platform, and then in some way or other fell between two of the carriages. The train travelled about 20yds further, dragging with it Mr. Brookes, who had In-en caught by the wheelbox under the carriage. When extricated from under tho, tram it. was found that Mr. Brookes was dead. The wheel had evidently passed over his left arm, for it was frightfully mutilated. The upper part of* the body was badly crushed, but the lower limbs were uninjured. Death had evidently been instantaneous. Medical assistance was procured, but nothing could be done, •nd tho body was removed by Constable o"Grady. The deceased evidently thought the train bad slowed down more than it had when be jumped off. Exactly how he came to fall between the carriages is not known, although it is generally believed that he never got. quite cleai of tho carriage. Tho deceased was identified by letters ho had in his possession. The news of his"death was subsequently taken to bis home, where his family were awaiting .his return. The deceased was a married man, 60 years of age, and resident at New North Road, Mount Albert. He came to the. colony in the ship Gertrude, in 1863, and was one of the Albert-land settlers. ' For the past seven years he has been residing at Mount Albert. He leaves a. widow, three sons, and five daughters, also a brother and sister—Mr. G. H. Brookes, of Devonport, and Mrs. W. Armitage, of Wayby. Deceased was tho third sou of the late Rev. E. S. Brookes, of Wbarehine. An inquest- will bo held.

The Mount Albert- bowling green will be closed on Christmas Day, in consequence of the death of Mr. Brookes, and members are requested to assemble at the pavilion At two o'clock to attend the funeral.

YOUNG MAN KILLED AT

HAMILTON.

FALLS UNDER A MOVING TRAIN.

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Hamilton, Saturday.

A shocking accident occurred at one o'clock to-day, at the Hamilton railway station. It appears that Horace Gordon Crombie, a railway official, whilst exchanging tablets with the driver of tho train, fell against a truck, and subsequently rolled between the trucks and the platform. The wheels of three trucks passed over him.

The unfortunate young man was extricated the moment the train came to a standstill, but he was then quite dead.

An inquest was opened this afternoon, and the evidence of two witnesses taken. Both expressed the opinion that the exchange of tablets whilst the trains are running is exceedingly dangerous. The inquiry was then adjourned till, three o'clock on Monday, in order tha'j- the en-gine-driver may give evidence.

The deceased, who was about 25 years of age, was the son of Mr. W. Crombie, stationmaster at Auckland- He had been at Hamilton for about two years, and was very popular with the travelling public and people of Hamilton.