DEATH OF A SHUNTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8783, 13 July 1914, Page 7

DEATH OF A SHUNTER

SUPPOSED TO HAVE MISSED HIS HOLD. The inquest on John Dugdale, aged fifty, who was killed' during shunting operations in the Thorndon railway station yard in the early hours of Saturday morning, will bo hold at i p.m. to-day. Details additional to those already published in the “Times” on Saturday show that the deceased and Alfred Diokel, another shunter, commenced duty at the Thorudon goods shed about half-past 13 on Friday evening, and were engaged in shunting. Shortly after 1 o’clock, four loaded wagons were being shunted towards the goods shed, the driver of the engine being Thomas ICirkby, while Joseph Bergin was acting as fireman. Dickel was standing on the step of the first wagon on the off (or engine-driver's) side, signalling to the engine-driver that the road was clear, and showing a white light. Dugdale, at the same time, was walking on the footway at the near (or fireman’s) side of the wagons. It Is supposed that he attempted to board the first wagon, but missed his hold and fell. On going to the spot, Diokel found deceased lying on his hack across the near-side rail, between the second and. third Wagon, tho letter having passed over his neck, chest and arms. The wagons had been traveling at tho rate of two Or three miles an hour, and had only covered about a wagon’s length when they were stopped by the enginedriver, Dickel having changed the signal from a clear to a red light. The engine and wagons were going round » slight curve when tho accident happened. The light from tho large electric lamp about twenty yards away was somewhat obstructed by several wagons, which wore standing almost opposite in tho west road of rails.