INQUEST ON MR. O. WAKEFIELD'S BODY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 4608, 24 March 1884, Page 2

INQUEST ON MR. O. WAKEFIELD'S BODY.

[r-ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] An inquest was held at Dunedin on Saturday last, on the body of the late Oliver Wakefiold. Mr. Stout watched the proceedings oa behalf of the Tramway Company. Mr. Edward Wakefleld stated he had a letter from the deceased, written just as deceased was leaving Wellington, in which he stated he was in a low state of health and had been ordered complete change for which he was going to Melbourne, thence to Adelaide. lie had been in a weak nervous state for some time, and while in that condition was very deaf and quite likely to lose his nerve. He was 40 years old. Dr. Maunsell, who assisted at the operation, said both deceased's thighs were terribly crushed almost as high as the hip joint. He was then perfectly conscious. Witness asked him how the accident occurred, and he replied that he was run over by a steam tram. Witness asked him why he did not get out of the way, and he replied it was impossible as there was a cab in front of -him. He did not blame anybody. He had also a wound on the head. He seemed to hear very acutely. Witness remarked this, on hearing that he was rather deaf. Alfred Charles Kimbell, Woolclasser, a passenger by the steam tram, stated he was standing on the near platform of the car when the accident happened. He helped to remove deceased from under the engine, and went with him in an express to the Hospital. On their way down, deceased became conscious for a few seconds and suid his name was Wakefield, and he was a passenger by the Waitora from Wellington. The engine was going at a slow rate, and the speed had been gradually slackened before the accident happened. Lewis Martin, another passenger, noticed the engino slowing, and heard the driver whistling to the express in front of tho tram. The man fell down a few feet in front of the engino which passed over him. From the Criterion Hotel the engino went very slowly. Deceased fell without the engino touching him. He must either have lost his presence of mind, or been taken with a fit. Several witnesses gave evidence that the engine was going at a very slow speed when the accident occurred. ' The Jury found that death was acci-' dental, resulting from deceased's nervous temperament, causing him to fall in front of the engine. They added a rider approving of the action of the City Council with respect to the removal of steam motors. The Secretary of the Tramway Company, mentioned that all the steam motors arc to be removed within ten days and horses substituted.