MANGLED BY ENGINE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 4

MANGLED BY ENGINE

RAILWAY PORTER KILLED EXPRESS’ APPROACH UNNOTICED. ACCIDENT IN WANGANUI YARD. MAN ENGAGED IN SHUNTING WORK By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. John Ross, aged 38, a married man with a wife and four children, was killed by the Wellington-Wanganui express near the Taupo Quay railway crossing at 4 p.m. to-day. Mr. Ross was a porter and was employed to-day as an assistant in the shunting gang at the Wanganui railway yards. Mr. Ross and Robert Kerr, who was in charge of the gang, were preparing a mixed train for departure to Hawera at 4.15 p.m. and, pending the arrival of an engine from the sheds, went to the shunters’ hut. They followed one another out of the hut to check the points on the far side of the main line. Mr. Kerr was in front and Mr. Ross a few yards in the rear. Neither noticed the approach, of the express from Aramoho, and Mr. Kerr, looking back after crossing the line, saw Mr. Ross being struck by the engine. The train was brought to a standstill but Mr. Ross’ body was mangled. Mr. Ross has been at Wanganui since June, 1933. Previously he was stationed at Okahukura.