CAUGHT IN THE POINTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13101, 14 June 1913, Page 7

CAUGHT IN THE POINTS.

RAILWAY SHUNTER KILLED

(Per Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, last night. Mr Graham, District Coroner, held an enquiry this morning into the cir-cumstances-surrounding tho death of George -John Neil, a railway shunter, who was killed during the course of his employment on. Wednesday night at the goods yard.- Deceased was 39 years oi age. '■-.. ■-.*,.-■ ■ „...'

The evidence showed that at the time of' the accident deceased was making up a goods train; He gave the "come back" signal- to the driver, who responded. Immediately afterwards deceased was found" on the ground with one leg severed. Tlie foot was fast m the points and the body, was five feet away. The coroner said that a bout 12 months ago. he held a somewhat similar inquiry, and drew the attention of the authorities to the advisability of shoes or special boots being worn by shunters. He had not heard what had been done m the matter.

It w r as stated that there was a notice m the "loco" shed, advising that elastic boots should, be worn, but there was so much jumping up and down to be done that elastic .boots made the feet sore, became loose, and constituted a danger m themselves.

' ,The coroner : That certainly shows that the authorities have been alive to .'the danger, but I suppose the men wore the boots they preferred. JMr Wallace, goods, agent, expressed tlie opinion that deceased, who had been so careful, had inadvertently misjudged < his position, and thought he was furI ther south' and clear of tlie points. It ! wns not the practice to attempt un- | tOtfriliryr ; V&ggbns at* points. r^The-ebf oner- said it was clear that the M&use y of I death was ; 'purely accidental, and -thivt « hO : blame - was attachable to i anyone. 'He expressed his pleasure that '*tfcj&' remarks lie had made at the pre- ! vious inquest had not been overlooked ' by the authorities.