‘SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN’

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11773, 8 March 1924, Page 3

‘SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN’

CORONER'S CONDEMNATION RAILWAY DEPARTMENT BLAMED FOR CROSSING FATALITY. NQ PROPER LOOKOUT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. The inquiry into the death of Richard John Collins, who received fatal injuries in an accident at Waltham road railway crossing on February 27fch, was held before the coroner, Mr H. Y. AViddowßOn. , Deceased was driving a dray loaded with timber over the crossing when it was hit by a rake of trucks. The dray was overturned and Collins was buried under the timber and one wagon. Ho was extricated as speedily as possible, and removed to hospital where he died next day. WITHOUT .WARNING. Evidence was given hy shunters to the effect that the rake suddenly stopped after passing over the crossing, and without warning began to go beck very slowly. Collins must have been caught by surprise, as was the porter in charge of the rear of the rake. The engine-driver Badd that after going over the crossing he saw another rake of truoks ahead. ' He stepped and went back two wagon lengths, and then there was a coil of about half a wagon length. He was then informed of the accident. “The question arises.” said the coroner, “as to whether blame is attachable to anyone.’! BLAME ATTACHABLE. It was quite clear that the porter, Ker, who was at the rear of the rake, oould not see the head of the train. That the rake should move heck without a signal meant that a considerable amount of blame devolved upon the Railway Department. “I cannot help but feel that if a proper lookout had been kept this accident would not have occurred. Ker said, very fairly, that he was not in a position to give a signal, and could not have prevented anything. That state of things should not have been under the conditions.” An open verdict was returned.