DECAPITATED BY A TRAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 37

DECAPITATED BY A TRAIN.

As the 1.9 p.m. train from Port Chalmers was leaving Ravensbourne on Monday, passengers were shocked to see the apparently decapitated body of a man lying beside *.he track, about 60 chains south of the station. The express from Dunedin had passed, and the Port Chalmers train, being brought to a standstill, the guard, Mr Robertson, and a porter, who came running along the line, made an investigation, surrounded by a crowd of horrified spectators who descended from the train. It was evident that deceased had either jumped or fallen from the express, and that the wheels had pacsed over his head. The clothing wae not that usually worn by a working man, but showed signs of wear. The deceased wore a blue suit, button boots, and a sweater. The body was lifted into the van and taken to Dunedin, where, at the Morgtie, it was identified as being that of Joseph Robson, an unfortunate, who that very morning had been charged at the Dunedin City Police Court with vagrancy.

A day or two ago Robson appeared at the Police Station begging the authorities to 'oek him up, as ho was unable to obtain work. The police, thinking it curious that a man should be in such a plight with employment so easy to obtain, advised him to try again, and they lfet him go. He, however, returned- later, more disconsolate than ever. Among other things, he stated that he was in debt to a boarding-house-keeper at Oaniaru to the extent of £12, and was quite destitute. He was accordingly charged before Mr C. C. Giaham on Monday morning wit'i vagrancy, but. expressing his willingness to work if employment could be found for him, left the court with Mr dimming, of the Prisoners' Aid Society. Mr Cumming gave him a shilling and a second class ticket for Oamaru, both of which were found in tho pockets of deceased at the Morgue.

Further light was thrown on the mattor by two passengeis by the express, who, it i» stated, saw Robson throw himself between the carriages under the handrail. One of the?e is an attendanr at the Seachff Mental Hospital, and the otlirr went on to Christchurch. When the expres-, stopped at Port Chalmers the wheels \uio seen to be spattered with blood

Three years ago deceased was a groom in the employ of Dr Garland, at Oamaiu. He is believed to* have a brother in Timarn and another in Dunedin. He infcimed the police when he was locked up that he suffered from epileptic fits, and from vanous remarks made by him to othcis it would appear that deceased did not care much whether he lived or died.