FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT
RAILWAY OFFICER KILLED.
(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) Dunedin, May 14.
Mr. George Burnett, chief clerk in the District Railway Engineer's Office, met with a serious accident shortly before 6 o'clock this evening. He was crossing the street and was run into by a tramcar, and thrown against one of the centre poles. Mr. Burnett have several ribs fractured, and was in a grave state from shock. Whether he sustained any internal injury is not as yet ascertainable.
Later.
Mr. Burnett died about 11.30 p.m. -Dominion, 15/5/1915.
FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT
DEATH OF MR GEORGE BURNETT.
Shortly before 6 o'clock last evening Mr George Burnett, chief clerk in the district railway engineer's office, met with an accident, which, before many hours had elapsed, terminated fatally. He was crossing George street, near the junction with. Union street, when he was run into by a tramcar and thrown against one of the centre poles. Mr Burnett was quickly conveyed to his residence, which is situated almost opposite the scene of the accident, and Mr Roberts was called in. He found that Mr Burnett had had several ribs on the left side fractured, and that he was in a grave state from shock. All that could be done proved unavailing, and at about 11.30 he passed away. The car, which was going north to Normanby, was in charge of Motorman Adam and Conductor Foote.
Mr Burnett had been in the railway service for a period of 36 years, 36 of which have been spent in Dunedin. He was very well known, both to the railway staff and to the public, and his very amiable and genial disposition made him most popular with all who knew him. For a great number of years Mr Burnett lived in Mornington, but about five years ago he changed his residence to George street. He is survived by the widow, and by two sons and daughters One of the sons is employed with the Eastern Extension Cable Company at Singapore, and the other is station master at Duntroon, One of the daughters is now Mrs J. Hardcastle, of Auckland, and the other is living at home. Mr James Burnett, chief engineer of the New Zealand Railways, is a brother of the deceased. -Otago Daily Times, 15/5/1915.
MR BURNETT'S DEATH
THE INQUEST OPENED.
An inquest into the circumstances under which Mr George Burnett met his death on Friday night through being knocked down by a tram car was opened at the residence of the deceased on Saturday morning before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. Mr W. C. MacGregor appeared for the City Corporation.
Evelyn Burnett, daughter of deceased, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was 58 years of age. His health had always been good, except that he was very shortsighted, and had to wear glasses. [The glasses were found on the street by the police after the accident.] After the accident deceased was conscious, but dazed, and did not know what had happened to him. Deceased was not absent-minded.
Dr Roberts said he saw deceased immediately after the accident. At that time he did not seem to be severely injured, and did not complain of pain, but was dazed. Witness saw deceased again when he was removed to his residence, and he was then in a state of profound collapse. Witness found extensive fractures of the ribs, with superficial abrasions of no importance on the right of the forehead and on the elbow. Deceased's condition was grave, and witness suspected there were also internal injuries. The extensive fractures of the ribs would alone be sufficient to cause death. There must have been a very severe shock to the system, as was shown by deceased's early collapse.
The Coroner then adjourned the inquest till Friday afternoon.
It is said that two cars were passing at the time and that Mr Burnett walked out from behind the car going to town.
In connection with the death of Mr Burnett a meeting of railway men, held on Saturday evening, passed the following resolution on the motion of Mr R. P. McCracken: "That this meeting of railway men tenders its deepest sympathy to the relatives of the late Mr George Burnett, who met his death in so tragic a manner, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his wife and family." -Otago Daily Times, 17/5/1915.
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