ENGINE-DRIVER IS KILLED BY TRAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 9

ENGINE-DRIVER IS KILLED BY TRAIN.

ENDEAVOURED TO CROSS LINE IN LINWOOD YARDS.

William Henry Irwin, a married man with five young children, an engine-driver by occupation, aged forty-one years, was struck by a train in the railway yards at the Linwood station shortly before 6.40 p.m. yesterday and killed instantly. He endeavoured to cross over the line, but tripped on the rails in front of the train.

Irwin, who resided at 30, Opawa Road, close to the Linwood Railway Station, entered the yards at the south east entrance to the station and struck out in the direction of the depot where he was to receive his orders for the night as he was due on duty at 6.30 p.m. The Lyttelton-Christchurch train was* approaching on the first line of rails immediately in front of. but some distance from, the entrance. He evidently noticed the train, but considered that he had time to cross. An engine-driver on a shunting engine on another line saw him trip on the first rail and he had no time to get clear before the*

train was on him. He was carried a distance of thirty yards and then thrown on to the adjoining set of rails. His body was not severely mutilated, but when picked up was seen to have received a deep jagged cut on the right temple. Death was instantaneous. Irwin was in the habit of crossing the yard by this route daily, in com mon with many of the other railway employees. He used to head straight across the yard, under a coal staging and then turn to the right to the depot where the orders for the next day were posted up. The track across the yards is used extensively by residents of this part, most of them connected with the railway either directly or indirectly. Steps have been erected over a high tin fence in some parts to allow of easy means ©f egress. The AB engine which he was to have taken charge of for the night had steam up at the time of the accident, an-1 the fireman took charge as acting engine-driver.

Irwin was very popular among his fellow railwaymen, and was described by several of them last evening as a hearty and conscientious man who always had a cheery word for his mates He had been twenty-one years in the service, starting with the Department at an early age. His body was taken on to Christ church by the train involved in the accident and thence to the morgue. An inquest will be held.