FALL FROM EXPRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22584, 24 November 1936, Page 11

FALL FROM EXPRESS

BUSINESS MAN'S DEATH EVIDENCE AT INQUEST [by telegraph—own correspondent] T AIISIA RUN UI, Monday All inquest was opened at Taumarimui yesterday before Mr. J. Mainland a jury concerning the death of Mr. Herbert Kenneth Harrc, aged 46, married, of Wellington, avlio was killed when he fell from the Wellington-Auck-land express near Owhango about 12.30 o'clock 011 Saturday morning. Ernest Arthur Rupert Jones, solicitor. of Wellington, said that deceased had been in ill-health for six months and his illness was attended by heart disorder, shortness of breath and fainting turns. Norma Harriott Harris, wife of deceased. said that for the past live weeks deceased had not been to business, but had taken a rest at home. He was not sleeping well and often at night he would leave his bed and walk about the house. With deceased and her two children, witness left Wellington by the expresn at three o'clock 011 Friday afternoon. Witness and deceased occupied one sleeping compartment. She gave deceased his medicine about nine o'clock and he seemed to settle down. Later witness thought 110 went to sleep. When witness woke at 4.30 o'clock the next morning deceased was not in his bunk. She reported his absence to an attendant, who made inquiries 011 the train. No trace of deceased could be found. Witness thought that probably her husband had become restless and, as was his usual custom, had got out of bed and put on his overcoat and had gone along the corridor to have a walk and a smoke. He probably took a dizzy turn when outside. The coroner said that the police had not concluded their evidence. The inquest was adjourned.