FATAL TRAIN ACCIDENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6994, 7 December 1909, Page 10

FATAL TRAIN ACCIDENT

. THE INQUEST ON EDWIN COX. Dr A. McArthur, S.M., City Coroner, yesterday afternoon hold an inquest* at the hospital on the body of Ed-win Cox, widower, aged sixty-nine, who had been a carpenter receiving the old ago pension, and who was fatally injured by engine No. 518 on Saturday morning. Joseph Booth, driver of the engine which struck deceased, said he had been a driver .for twenty years. At the time of the accident he whistled sixty yards from the Petone junction to get "Line clear" signalled. When he saw the man he gave a long unusual whistle. Deceased turned round looked at the engine, and stood well dear. The driver put steam, on his engine, believing the man would remain where he was—in safety. When the engine was half-way over the crossing the fireman shouted "Stop! the man is. crossing!" The Westinghouse brake was applied, and the train halted. Frank H. Burns, fireman of the engine, corroborated. He had seen deceased, who really walked into the ensrine. The verdict was to the effect that deceased had been run down by the 7.43 train from Wellington to Hutt; that he died from injuries then received; and that neither engine-driver, fireman, nor any railway official was to blame.