RAILWAY FATALITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 14

RAILWAY FATALITY.

TE KUITI, March 2. William Nash., 44 years, a discharged soldier, working at 'Pataruru, a passenger to Wellington, attempted to board the train at To Kuiti last evening, missed his footing, and fell. The ,train passed over him, and he died almost immediately from the result of injuries. The deceased was a native of Sydney. An eye-witness states that the victim had left the carriage at Te.Kuiti, and made no attempt to re-board the train until it commenced its journey He attempted to get on tho carriage reserved for ladies, which is located right in tho centre of the train, but, as there is onlv one entrance platform on these carriages, which are the old dining cars, ho slipped into space. His plight was witnessed by a station employee, who grabbed the man, -but could -not hold him, being in danger, also, of getting dragged under the train. The express was instantly stopped, but by this time it had passed over the unfortunate man, killing him instantly. His mangled remains were lying under the wheels. Travellers complain of the ladies' carriage being in the centre of the train, as it is usually opposite the refreshment rooms when the train starts off, and travellers delayed in being served with refreshments invariably rush that part of the train when it starts. In the case of tho unfortunate victim of Friday night's tragedy it is alleged that he was under the influence of liquor, and had been reprimanded by the guard for being a nuisance.