HORNBY FATALITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 7

HORNBY FATALITY.

INQUEST ON VICTIM OPENED. MR M’DERMQTT STILL UNCONSCIOUS. Am inquest touching the death of Robert. M’Millan, who was killed at the Hornby Railway crossing on Thursday evening, was opened at the Christchurch Hospital this morning, before Mr Wyvern Wilson. R.M. Sergeant Stewart, Addington, was present on behalf of the Police Department. and Mr A. C. Truman, Traffic Inspector, appeared on behalf of the Railway Department. EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION Michael John Green, of Tnramea Street. Spreydon. bacon onrer, identified the body as that of Robert M’Millan, his brother-in-law. He thought his name was Robert- Bunting M’Millan, as far as he knew. M’Millan was about 50 years of age, and resided at Halswell. He was a horse, breeder aud trainer, and owner of a stud farm. Ho last saw him alive about three days prior t-o the fatality. INQUEST ADJOURNED. At this stage the inquest was adjourned, the Coroner stating that a full enquiry into the cause of the accident would bo held when M’Dormott was able to give evidence. FUNERAL OF VICTIM. The funeral of the late Robert M’Millan will take place to-moirow afternoon, the cortege leaving his late residence. Santa Rosa. Farm, Halswell. for the Church of England Cemetery. Halswell, MR M’DERMOTTS CONDITION. Enquiry at- the Hospital this morn ing elicited the information that- E. C. M’Dermott. the owner and driver of the car which struck the train, was

' still in a state of unconsciousness. He | had gained semi-consciousness for briei 1 intervals on one or two' occasions, but had always relapsed into an unconscious state again. He appeared to be still a long wav from being out of danger. A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. A possible solution of the cause ot the accident has been put forward in the fact that just before the main railj way crossing is reached there is a crosj sing over which trains for the Soutlij bridge and Little River trains run. A j motorist- not fully conversant with the surroundings there, it is suggested, ! might be led to the opinion that having crossed the line at this spot he was quite safe. This may have happened in M’Dermott’s case, and it is generally surmised that he and M’Millaii were engaged in a chat after passing over the line and had reached the main crossing before they were aware of the fact and before they noticed the incoming train. At this crossing there art three sets of lines, an out line, an in line, and also a shunting line. This would no doubt aid in the confusion of a driver so confronted in a case ol emergency. There seems little doubt that M’Dermott applied his brakes, but as there is a great deal of loose shingle at the approach to the crossing, the application of the brakes would not- be very effective. Had he gone straight, ahead or accelerated the engine, it is considered probable that he would have got across in safety, PREVIOUS FATAL ACCIDENT The railway crossing at Hornby was the scene of a fatality which occurred there, on May 12. 1920. George Richard Wise, a farmer, residing at Russlev Road, Upper Riccarton. was on the way to the Hornby station with a spring dray laden with potatoes, am* apparently he did not notice an approaching train which collided with the dray and killed both man and horse. At- the inquest conducted Hv Mr S. E. M’Cnrthy, District Coroner, a verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence, that death was due to syncope, following on laceration of the brain nnd that there was no evidence of neglect by the railway ! officials.