SHUNTING FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20642, 14 February 1929, Page 7

SHUNTING FATALITY.

INQUEST OPENED. - An inquest on the body of Charles Edward Petherick, who was killed in the railway goods yards whilst he was engaged in shunting operations on Tuesday afternoon, was opened at the Hospital yesterday morning. Mr J. R, Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner, conducted the proceedings. Mr E. A, Newman represented the Railways Department, Sergeant Vaughan the police, and Mr A. G, Neill appeared on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. Evidence of identification was given hy George Petherick, a son of the deceased, who stated that his father, who was 49 years of age, was employed in the railway goods yard as a permanent casual hand. He had always enjoyed good health, and his sight and hearing were good.

Walter Netley Searle, house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital, said that the deceased was admitted at 3.25 p.m. on Tuesday in a condition of extreme shock. He was also suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg and a lacerated wound on the right thigh. He was conscious when he was admitted, but despite treatment he gradually sank and died at 4.55 p.m. In witness’s opinion the cause of death was shock duo to severe 'injuries and loss of blood.

To Mr Neill: He could not say, from the nature of the injuries, whether the deceased was standing up or lying down at the time of the accident. The inquest was adjourned until Monday at 10.30 a.ra. at the Magistrate’s Court.