PERIL IN CITY AREA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 13

PERIL IN CITY AREA

UNFENCED RAILWAY LINE EMPHASIS AT INQUEST WOMAN HIT -BY ENGINE (Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., this day. Following comments made by a woman witness at an inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Jane Jackson, who died as the result of being struck by a train when attempting to cross the railway line in Main street, not at a recognised crossing, Mr. A? Tl. Norlhover, appearing for the Railway Department, intimated that lie would vring the question of fencing the lino before the department, “It is terrible to live in Main street,” declared Mrs. Irwin, who was an eyewitness of the fatality. She said she ■had had many, shocks' since living there, and would shift if she could get another house. On one occasion she rushed out to a boy, 18 months old, who was sitting on the line when the express was corning Had the father not jumped the fence of his residence and rushed out, the hoy might have been killed. Children did not know better. She had seen children playing on the line while the engine was whistling repeatedly to get them out of the way. The witness suggested fencing tho line.

The lino is unfencod east of the Post Office in tho main part of tho city. The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death and exonerated tho driver.

The husband of the deceased related that she said she had suddenly become ill when crossing the lino and failed to hear the train.