The Turakina Fatality.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11992, 10 July 1903, Page 5

The Turakina Fatality.

t THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Courthouse dmtoi the (jiremmistanaes attending the deatttil of the native who was run over on the previous evening at Turakina byithle train. Sergeant Norwood conducted the inquiry, and the following jury was lempanneUed: —Messns. J. W. Kirby (foneman), T. H. Williamis, M. H. Hogan; A. Ross, J. H. Woolverton, and A. H. Wait*.

Tahu W. Ratana, brother of the deceased, was the first witness. He stated that his brother was 27 yeartS of age, and was married. Witness met Mmi on the Turakina platf oian on Wednesday evening, deceased having that day dome from H&wera. They Bad same refreshments at the Tunakina Hotel, but no liquor. When witness came out of the hotel he saw the train was starting, and did not attempt to boai<d it. S(aw deceased' holdipgj the iron bar on a carriage nest to the wan. The train was then going fairly fast. Saw deceased fall between the station platform and the whieels. Witness went into tihe van after the train had crossed! the bridge, and saw deceased, who was conscious, and greetied witness, saying in English, "Hallo, brother." Witness accompanied his broitfaier as far as Ratana.

Bertrand Neil (stated that* lie was a passenger by, the last tom fron* Wellington on Wednesday evening. Was seated in the last carriage, and', as the train started from Turakina. saw: a Maori make a grab at tthe iron railjiEig. Hie teld it'ifor a second, then released-his hold, and! fell .between the carriage and the van, ■which suddenly jolted. An alarmi of some kind was raised, and the train pulled up after it had gone about 15 yatfds. Witness then ram back to "wihfene the deceased:was lying, and heard iii&n say, "Itfs all rights' boys; I ana alive yet.^ A stretcher- was then procured, deceased! .was given some whisky, and was taken into 'the van. Witness went into the van about five minutes later,! when deceased Was quitje conscious^ biifc slightly restless. Deceased dited between Aramioho and Wanganui. The . seat of the injuries was in tto loiwier portion of the body, and tine right arm was brokeu about three inches above tbe wrist. ~..-■'

Joseph Parity, railway guard, said he was in charge of the Paknerston train on Wednesday evening. The train arrived! ab Tuirakiina at tUmetable time. Had known deceased for about five years. Did not sea him on itihe platforml prior to the train starting. Tile train was started in the usual manner, and witness jgot aboard the first! aartriage.' ;> After the train had gone about two carriage lengths heard! somebody calling out. Looked back, noticed a bustle on the platforml, and saw a red light shown. Witness repeated the signal to the driver, who immediately stopped the engine. Witness ran back and saw deceased lyingl with Ms back to the station platform, and one leg lying across the line. Hie had been crushed from the thigh upwards, and has right arml was broken. A stretcher was pHoctured from the station, and after deceased had been placed upon it, ifo was suspended from the roof by ohiains. Deceased collapsed when betweenl Fort Jell and Aramoho, buti lived until the train left St. Johns. The stationmlaisteri at Turakina wired for .an ambulance and a doctor, and1 they were in attendance when the train arrived in Wanganui. , To the Coroner: The portjer at Turia:kina rang the bell and called out "Seats please," some thirty or forty seconds before thle whistle was blown.

Percy CaMecutt, stationmiaster at Turakina, said ha was da the. platfortmi when tha PaJanierston train arrived! on, Wednesday ; might. Knew by sdght the ideceaisedl, whom he saw od .-ths platjformi about two minutes before the train aur&ved. There were no signs of liquor on deceased. Next timle hie saw hiimi deceasedl was tryingl to catch the train. Deceased1 clutched at the iron upright on the platformi of fhe carriage, and endeavoured ;toi igr%i-the other rail. While doing so he swerved. Witness then signalled to thle engine driver to stop. There were two men who endeavoured to board the train. Witness shoutjed "Stop." One did so, but the other (the deceased) went on. Every precaution! waa taken.

After the Coroner, 'had' summed up, th» jury returned a veflcKiot that deceased died from injuries r,ecei*ved while trying to board a train in motion at Tumkana on the evening of July 8, and. that no blame wiaa attachable, to anyone. /-