A SHOCKING FATALITY
ELDERLY MAN FRIGHTFULLY MANGLED.
DECAPITATED BY CABLE CAR.
A shocking accident at the Kaikorai terminus of the Dunedin and Roslyn Tram line last night resulted in the decapitation of an elderly man whose identity was at first doubtful, but who has since been identified as Frederick John Sibbald, of Mansford street, Kaikorai.
The 7.20 p.m. cable car from the City was on the big grade to the valley and within about 14 chains of the waiting shed when both Gripman Charles Henry Smith and Conductor Albert Day saw a man on his hands and knees between the two sete of rails, and nearer the up rails than those the car was descending on. As he knelt, the man was clear from danger, but the gripman rang his bell. At the moment when the car was nearly abreast of him the man rose and lurched or swung himself right over in front of it. The gripman had already applied his brakes — including the emergency Fell brake — and he pulled up in about 10 feet, but not before the car had passed clean over the body, which remained caught underneath. It was a dreadful spectacle, for the severed head rolled from under the car and down the hill. The police and a doctor were at once telephoned for, and Plain-clothes Constables Kelly and Beer and Dr Evans were quickly on the spot. But it took 90 minutes to release the shattered body. The right arm had been almost severed at the shoulder, the right thigh and ankle were broken, the left leg and arm were fractured, and the left hand was almost severed at the wrist.
The unfortunate man was 67 years of age and married, but had no children. He and his wife lived at Broad Bay for some time, but latterly have resided in Mansford street, Kaikorai, an old friend Mr Alfred Simmons (it was he who identified the body) living with them. Yesterday afternoon all three were in town, and Mrs Sibbald and Mr Simmons returned home about 5 p.m., the deceased remaining behind. It appears to be established that he travelled to Kaikorai by the 7.10 p.m. tram, and how he came to be on the line at 7.32 p.m. is not known. He followed the occupation of woolclasser for some months in the year, but also had an allowance from the estate of his father, who was once proprietor of the Provincial Hotel. His brother, Mr Wm. Sibbald, was formerly Collector of Customs at Dunedin, and during the war period has taken over the same duties at Blenheim.
The remains were taken to the Morgue, where an inquest will he formally opened to-morrow morning and then adjourned. -Evening Star, 14/9/1917.
CABLE CAR FATALITY
THE INQUEST.
Yesterday afternoon, the Coroner (Mr Bartholomew, S.M.) held an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Frederick John Dunlop Sibbald, a married man, aged 65 years, and living at Condamine street, Kaikorai, who was decapitated by a Dunedin-Roslyn Tram Company car on Thursday evening, the 13th instant.
Sub-inspector Mathieson appeared for the police, Mr Payne for the tram company, and Mr, Aspinall for the widow.
A portion of the evidence appeared in yesterday’s issue, the statements showing that deceased had been seen under the influence of liquor some little time before the accident happened.
Mary Gordon Blackwood and Alex. Blackwood (passengers) deposed that if the prompt stopping of the car could have saved the man, he had every chance.
Charles Henry Smith, gripman, stated that he was gripman on the car that left the City at 7.20 on Thursday evening, the 13th When near the bottom of the hill to the Kaikorai he saw a figure about a car and a-half length ahead of him on the other line. This figure seemed in a crouching position. This man moved towards the car, and witness rang the bell and applied his brakes. Standing in the driver's box he could not see an object closer than 10ft ahead of him, and he lost sight of the man. He felt the bump, and the car travelled some feet after striking the object. Witness got the headlight, and looking under saw the body, which was separated by 3ft from the head. The shoulders were jammed between the gripper and the track brake. The car would be travelling at about seven and a-half miles an hour. The headlight was a kerosene lamp, burning well. The grade there was one in four.
To the Coroner: The track here was fairly rough. It was used every day by pedestrians.
The Coroner: How far ahead can you see with your headlight?
Witness: About three lengths.
Would that give you sufficient time to pull up if you saw an obstacle? — Yes! On an emergency stop he could pull up in 13 feet.
To Mr Payne: There were notices "No thoroughfare” at the top and bottom of the grade. It was a private thoroughfare.
Albert Chas. Dey, conductor, said that on the last grade he was in the front cabin. About two and a-half lengths from the bottom he saw an object between the two sets of rails. This object moved and he saw it was a man. Movement was in the direction of the track the car was traversing, and the man appeared to be on his hands and knees. Just as the car approached he swerved right in front of it. Witness called out as soon as he saw the object was a man, and the brakes were at once applied. The car stopped in about 13 feet.
Mr Aspinall: Did he appear to fall towards the car, or to throw himself towards it?
Witness: He appeared to fall.
Constable Kelly described the situation bf the body. The car had to he jacked up sideways bodily to release it. There was a very strong smell of liquor from the body.
The Coroner said that the evidence of the conductor and gripman was borne out directly by that of Mr and Mrs Blackwood and showed that the position immediately before the accident was that this unfortunate man was on his hands and knees in a posture of creeping up the hill at an angle towards the line on which the car was descending. His attitude was explained by the other evidence, which showed that he was the worse of liquor. Immediately he was observed by the conductor, gripman, and others, all steps were taken to pull up. The gripman was driving with proper care and skill, and took all possible steps to avert the accident, applying air brakes, including the emergency. No blame was attachable to anyone. The formal-verdict would be "That death was duo to injuries received through being accidentally run over by a cable car on September 13.” -Evening Star, 21/9/1917.
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