A SHOCKING FATALITY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13424, 11 July 1911, Page 7

A SHOCKING FATALITY.

AT HAWERA RAILWAY STATION. Tho following particulars of the shocking accident which occurred a*t Hawera Railway Station yards on Saturday afternoon, whereby William McKenzie, porter, aged 213. lost his life under particularly distressing circumstances, are given by the Uawera iitar: —McKenzie was m charge of some shunting operations on the arrival of the four o'clock train from New Plymouth. The accident was witnessed by Mr Henry Urbiu Coles, labourer, who was waiting for a string of waggons to move away from the Princes Street crossing so that he could drive over the crossing with his cart; and according to a statement by him and confirmed by others, McKenzie was riding between two of the waggons, having his feet against one truck and his back against the vehicle. He was endeavouring to uncouple the waggons when, by some mischance, his feet slipped and he fell down between the waggons, one leg lying each side of the rails. The unfortu-* nate man was pushed along about a yard, and made what seemed like an effort to roll off' the rails, hut a wheel caught his leg and passed over him from his hip to his right shoulder. Coles gave instructions to the driver to stop the engine, which were obeyed immediately. It was then discovered that McKenzie was lying across the rail nearest to the platform and next vo the cattle stop. He was gasping whea extricated. The body was fearfully man glcd. Dr. Thomson was sent for, but life was extinct before any medical assistance could lie. rendered. Death was practically instantaneous. The driver (Frederick Bigham) states that deceased was about ten waggon lengths away standing on the driver's side, and gave tho signal to what is known in the -ei-vice as to “kick’’ some o; the waggoi n and a carnage. The driver did so and iiicrt-a-cd his s| ecd, at tile same time keeping a sharp look out. IVlieu h° lonr.d that I lie shunter had not come out f-oin between the trucks he pulled up. The signal to -ton had at the same time been given by one Coles. The fatality caused a profound sensationnot only at the station, but all over 'c-cumovity. Deceased bad the reputation of being a steady, sober young fellow, and only joined tile service two years ago when he came out from Scotland. He was transferred to Ha went from Leppcrton four months ago. Hie only relative in the Dominion, so far as can he ascertained, is a married sister at Daunevirkc, Mrs Rankin. It is said deceased was engaged to a young- girl, who is on the water coming out to him. An inquest will be held Icday.