STYX RIVER FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16761, 30 January 1918, Page 4

STYX RIVER FATALITY.

INQUEST ON MRS. ASHWORTH NO NEGLIGENCE REVEALED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] CHRISTCHURCE, Tuesday. Tee adjourned inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Eliza Martha Ashworth, aged 74 years, which occurred as th? result of injuries received in the railway crossing accident at the Styx River on Saturday last, was held to-day. A verdict of accidental death was returned, there being no evidence of negligence on the part of the driver of the engine, nor of deceased's husband, who was driving the motor-car. The coroner added a rider, drawing the attention of the local body to the fence obstructing the view of the crossing, and directing that it should take steps to have it removed. A motor-car containing Mr. and Mrs. James Ashworth, of Saltwater Creek, and their three daughters collided with a north-bound train on the Styx crossing last Saturday morning. Mr. Ashworth, who was driving, saw no sign of the train until within half a dozen yards of the railway line, when he suddenly perceived that the train had just reached the road, the locomotive being over the cattle-stops. He applied his brake, and endeavoured to stop short, but the car ran over the line, and just failed to get clear. Mrs. Ashworth sustained very severe injuries, her right arm being torn nearly off, and she died in the Ohristchurch Hospital some hours after her admittance. Her husband, aged j 75 years, escaped with a few scratches, but-' the daughters were more seriously hurt.