STRANGE FATALITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 9

STRANGE FATALITY.

MAN SITS ON RAILWAY LINE. (Special to the “Sear.”) GREYMOUTH, May 3. A sensational accident occurred on the Otira line near Aicken's, about 4.03 tliis afternoon, as a result of which Gustav Erickson lost his life through collision with the overland expicss. Erickson was noticed by the fu email, Charles Russell, walking some distance ahead of the train along the i ail wav track. In response to a whistle deceased moved into a recess, but as the train approached him he returned to the track and then sat in the middle of the track, holding his Lands to his head. it then was too late to atop the train, the cowcatcher of which struck him, causing injuries to iris head and back. First aid treatment was applied by Nurse Kitto, matron of Grey Hospital, who was a passenger on the train. Deceased, who was attended to while in the van. succumbed to Ins injuries as the train loft Moana, When the express, which v-as delayed in consequence of the accident. arrived at Grey mouth Erickson's body was conveyed to the Hospital morgue. Very little is known of deceased, except that he was a man £ bout thirty-five years of age and a timber worker. He- is believed to have been a resident of Nelson Creek.