ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

Southland Times, Issue 20395, 26 January 1928, Page 7

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY. (Per United Press Association.) Palmerston North, January 25. A fatal railway accident at LongburnRongotea road crossing on January 16, when a motor car driven by the Rev. Tremain, Anglican minister of Rongotea, was struck by the north-bound New Plymouth express, resulting in fatal injuries to the car driver, was the subject of a coronial inquiry to-day. The evidence tendered by the driver and fireman was that the crossing was a bad one, because a belt of trees obscured the view of both engine-drivers and the road traffic. The trees were now being removed. This was the second fatal accident at this crossing within a fortnight. The coroner expressed the hope that the department would endeavour to have trees removed at all crossings and thereby minimise the danger of collisions. HEART FAILURE. Auckland, January 25. Captain McDonald, of the steamer Hinemoa, advised the Collector of Customs that General Sellheim, Administrator of Norfolk Island, had passed away there this morning from heart failure. FATALLY SCALDED. Wellington, January 25. Lionel Lawson (22 months), of Argentine Avenue, Miramar, died in hospital this morning as the result of scalds on the hands, body and neck through a fall into hot water last evening. JOCKEY INJURED. During the running of the Maiden Plate at the Pine Bush races yesterday, Firemaster fell at the turn into the back stretch and his rider, J. Camefon, was thrown heavily. He received medical attention on the course and was ordered into the Southland Hospital with a slight fracture of the skull. At a late hour last night his condition was reported to be unchanged. ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH. The death took place suddenly at Skippers last week of Mr Arthur Campbell, an old-age pensioner, who had lived for many years in the Skippers district, states the Wakatip Mail. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, was last seen alive at about 2.30 p.m. that day, and at 9 p.m. he was found lying on the roadside a short distance from his cottage, situated not far from the Skippers schoolhouse. He had evidently been out gathering firewood as a bundle of sticks was lying beside him. The body w’as removed to the schoolhouse, where an inquest was held. After hearing evidence the Coroner, Mr D. F. Sutherland, Justice of the Peace, returned a verdict that death was due to heart failure.