CROSSING ACCIDENT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21220, 17 September 1940, Page 2

CROSSING ACCIDENT

ELDERLY WOMAN’S DEATH » IN FRONT OF ENGINE Uperlil to Time? Monday An inquest into the death of Eleanor Brocklebank, aged 72. of Kimihia Road, Huntly. who was killed at Meek’s Crossing on August 16, was held today before Mr F. A verdict was returnecnKat death resulted from injuries received when she was struck by the Auckland-Taneatua express. Lewis Harold Bennett, enginedriver. said that about 300 yards from the crossing at the north end of the Huntly railway yard he sounded the engine whistle for approximately five seconds and was keeping a sharp look-out on the right-hand side of the engine. He again sounded the whistle when about 100 yards from the crossing. He then noticed an elderly woman walking from the main street towards the crossing. Walked Straight Ahead Witness kept the whistle open, but the woman kept walking and did not look toward the engine. She was looking straight ahead. He applied the Westinghouse brake. The woman walked in front of the engine, and the buffer beam, which was the front right-hand comer of the engine, struck her and threw her to the right-hand side of the track. Witness pulled the train up in its own length and went back to the woman. He found her dead. The speed of the train when the woman was struck was 35 miles an hour. The fireman, David Alexander Gardyne Crossley, also gave eviderifce. Evidence of Eye-Witness. Jack Thomas Arbon said he resided in the vicinity of the crossing. He saw an elderly lady walking toward the crossing. She appeared to be looking down on the road watching where she was walking and it appeared that she would have to hurry to get over the crossing in front of the express. He heard the engine whistle blow before reaching the crossing and the warning bells at the crossing were ringing and the red lights operating. The lady did not stop but walked straight on in front of the approaching engine. Dr. Ernest Going Loten, of Huntly, said deceased had been a patient of his. She was completely deaf.