CASUALTIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10631, 2 July 1920, Page 5

CASUALTIES

CRUSHED BY A TRAIN FREDERICK THOMSON’S DEATH. RESULT OF CORONIAL INQUIRY. A coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding tho death of Frederick Thomson, a waterside worker, thirty-one years of age, who succumbed at the Wellington Hospital on Monday night, following his having been run over by railway carriages at Lambton station, was held by Mr E. Page, S.M., at tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Senior-Sei-gcant Willis appeared for tho police, and Mr Dawson on behalf of the Railway Department. Dr Salmond, house surgeon at the W r ollington Hospital, deposed that deceased was suffering from very severe injuries to arms and logs, but was quite, conscious when he was admitted to tho institution. His condition was too serious to permit of an operation, and ho died at 10.30 p.m. from shock. Ethel Pomeroy, at whose residence at Petone the deceased boarded, said that he was an unmarried returned soldier, who had been evacuated suffering from shell-shock. Arnold McKellar said that he noticed the deceased, who was carrying a sack containing kerosene on his shoulder, rush across tho platform towards the rear of tho 6.14 p.m. suburban train, which was just moving out of the station. He endeavoured to open the closed gate of the second car from that end of the train with his free hand, but the weight on his shoulder appeared to cause him to lose his balance, with the result that his feet missed tho stop, and he fell between the train and the platform, the last two cars passing over his legs and arms. Witness and, a porter called a caution to Thomson when they saw him making for the train. George Mouton, porter, gave corroborative evidence.

In. returning a verdict that Thomson’s death was duo to shook from injuries received through falling from' and being crushed by a moving train, Mr Page said that the case - emphasised, if any emphasis were necessary, the grave risk run by anyone attempting to board a moving train. He added that the evidence showed there was no undue delay in affording re’icf to the injured man. A FATAL BOLT. THE INQUEST ADJOURNED. The next inquest concerned the death of Arthur Edward Moore, a single man, aged 87 years, who, on Friday evening last, was thrown from an express to which was attached a bolting horse. Ho died at the hospital two days later. Senior-Sergeant Cox represented the police, and Mr J. Scott appeared for Callaghan, one .of the occupants of the express. ;■ "Dr Salmond deposed that the deceased, who was suffering from cerebral haemorrhage when ho was admitted to the ‘hospital, nqver regained consciousness, and died at 11.50 p.m. on Sunday. Witness did not notice a. sign of liquor on either Moor© or Callaghan. John Harper Connor, another driver, said 'that the deceased and Callaghan were perfectly sober shortly before the accident. Callaghan was a capable and careful driver, but the horse was restless and could not be trusted. Arthur George Hughes, a carpenter residing at Island Bay, said that he saw the horse bolting in Rugby street. There were three men in the express, and Callaghan,' who was driving, had the reins in one hand and the brake in another. As deponent watched the career of the vehicle he saw Callaghan thrown out.

To Senior-Sergeant Cox: He was sure there were three men in the express. To Mr Page: It was dark at the time and therefore it was possible that he was mistaken, but he did not think such was the case. Witness went to the assistance of Callaghan, and then sent for a doctor and the police. ■To Mr Scott: Callaghan did not show any signs of liquor. . William Francis Joseph Wnreham, a plumber, who resides in Ellice street, said he was in his homo when he was startled by a crash, and upon going to investigate the cause he found the wreck of the express, and the deceased lying in the road. He took Moore into the house and sent for a doctor. The inquiry was then adjourned for three weeks in order to get the evidence of Callaghan, who is still in hospital in a serious condition. AN ENGINEER’S DEATH. Mr Robert M. Watson, for thirty years chief engineer at the Islington freezing works, dropped down dead to-day in his office at the works (says a Press Association telegram). Ho leaves a widow, two sons and one daughter.