GRAFTON BRIDGE SUICIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 8

GRAFTON BRIDGE SUICIDE.

SECOND WITHIN A WEEK. TRAMWAY MOTORMAN'S ACT. The second tragedy on Grafton Bridge within a week occurred early yesterday afternoon when Alfred E. Hanscomb, a tramway motorman, aged about 45, residing at 2, SackviJle Street, Grey Lynn, was seer to climb the parapet and roll over into the gully below. A number of people were on the bridge and Hanscomb was seen pacing up and down the footpath. When no one was near him he climbed the parapet at the highest point. A search was made below by Constables Tucker and Kelly, who located the body among the thick undergrowth. It was later found that the injuries consisted of a fractured neck, fractured ribs and a broken thigh. Hanscomb was married with six children. He had been in the tramways department for a number of years and was last seen on duty on Saturday. He was to have started again yesterday afternoon. It appears ho had been worried for some timo, and in a note left at his home he stated he was afraid of going blind. On Saturday he was in his usual state of health and worked in his garden yesterday morning. On leaving he informed his wife that if he did not return by 3 o'clock she would know it was all right as he had gone to see a man about $ position on a farm at Russell. ■ An inquest will be held to-day. ,