KILLED BY A TRAIN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5603, 1 June 1905, Page 3

KILLED BY A TRAIN.

THE DEATH OF EDWARD LOpNEY. Edward Looney, who was struck by a '.rain while crossing the Government railway lines at Thorndon quay on Tuesday, died in the hospital about 6 o’clock yesterday morning. An inquest was subsequently held by Mr James Ashcroft, District Coroner. The first witness. Mary Looney, wife ■iif deceased, stated that her husband .bad crossed the lines to and from his work at the Post and Telegraph Stores for the past twenty years. On the day of the accident he left his home at halfpast 12, and was perfectly sober, fie had good.sight and hearing. James Joseph Dennison, signalman at the Thorndon station, stated that ho was on duty at the time of the accident. He heard the train whistle, and looked up just in time to see a man thrown from the front of the engine. Where deceased crossed the lino was not a public crossing, although the gate leading to it was not locked. William Kemp, driver of tho engine, deposed that as ho was coming into the Wellington station at 12.28 p.m. be caw leceascd coming through a gateway about 10ft away from the rails. Brakes were applied and the whistle blown, but it was too late to avoid striking deceased, who was looking in an opposite dircc'iion. The train was brought to a standstill, and witness went to see what assistance he could render. By that time, however, deceased was being taken to the Railway Hotel. Witness had seen many people using the crossing. John Milne, fireman of tho engine, gave similar evidence. Constable Simpson stated that deceased, while lying at tho Railway Hotel, informed him that ho blamed nobody for the mishap. John Black, who knew Looney, said deceased had been in tho habit of crossing the lines by way of the gate for twenty years. At one time there had been a notice on the gate warning tho public against crossing the lines, there, rut it had boon obliterated. With ordinary care there was no danger in crossing the lines at tho placet of tho accident. \ The Coroner informed tho jury that if it was desired an adjournment could %o made until the notice hoard at tho wicket-gate was inspected. After hearing Mr Myers, who appeared for the Railway Department, the jury desired no adjournment. Mr Myers said it was absurd to think that tho department was in any way at fault. Tho public had no right of access to the gateway; there was a prohibition against it. Dr Robertson, assistant medical officer at the hospital, gave evidence that when deceased was admitted to tho institution ho was greatly bruised about tho left hip, and had been injured about tho head. Some hours after his admittance he became unconscious, and died from shook and collapse early on tho following .morning. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added a rider that plainer notice of warning should bo placed at the gateway, and prohibition of trespass should be enforced.