56987 Private James McLeod, 26/9/1896-13/6/1922. "the fire had shot out"

FATAL INJURIES

FIREMAN ON EXPRESS SUCCUMBS

 (United Press Association)  

DUNEDIN, This Day. A fireman named James McLeod, on duty on the express train from the North last evening, was struck on the head through leaning out too far at Waitati tunnel, and received injuries to which he succumbed in Dunedin Hospital. Deceased was a married man, 26 years of age, and resided in South Dunedin. -Nelson Evening Mail, 14/6/1922.

James McLeod was a railways fireman living in Balclutha when he was called up at the beginning of 1917.  He was given leave in July of that year to head to Dunedin and marry Elizabeth O'Hara.  The wedding was on July 19th and the honeymoon must have been as enjoyable as it was short - James was punished with the forfeit of eight days' pay for overstaying his leave.

By early 1917 he was in Britain but it seems he didn't get to the front line.  He was hospitalised with scabies and then with dysentery through 1917.

He was hospitalised with influenza in early 1919 and embarked for home in March, 1919.

 LOCOMOTIVE FIREMAN’S DEATH. 

An inquest was opened at the Hospital on Wednesday afternoon by Mr J. R. Bartholomew (coroner) regarding the death of the fireman. James McLeod, who suffered injuries to his head as the result of leaning out of the cab window of the express from the north as it was passing through a tunnel the previous day. The accident took place in the Otepopo tunnel, near Herbert, the deceased apparently having put his head out of the window to avoid a flame from the furnace caused by the draught as the engine entered the tunnel. The driver (Frederick Murray) pulled the train up as soon as it got through the tunnel, and McLeod, who was lying on the floor of the cab in an unconscious condition was removed to the van and brought on to Dunedin. He died in the Hospital late the same evening. 

The proceedings at the inquest, were formal, a driver giving evidence of identification and Dr Colvin, assistant medical officer at the Hospital, stating the condition of the man on his arrival, and giving the cause of death. The deceased, he said, was admitted to the Hospital at 5.15 p.m. He was unconscious, and had a scalp wound about two inches long on the upper right part of the skull. There was evidence of considerable hemorrhage. The bone was exposed, but examination revealed no fracture. Dr Lindon was called in and considered an operation necessary, as symptoms pointed to an increase of pressure within the skull. He was operated upon, and it was found the contents of the brain were under increased pressure. The brain was badly lacerated. An attempt was made to stop bleeding, but the deceased did not rally after the operation, and remained unconscious, and died at 11.15 p.m. The cause of death was laceration of the brain following injury to the head. 

In connection with the resumption of the inquest concerning the death of James Patterson McLeod, who died as the result of injuries received to his head at the entrance to the Otepopo railway tunnel, Mr Hay represented the widow, and Mr R. M. Isaacs the Railway Department. 

James Kent Robertson, engine-driver, stated that he was on duty on June 13 on an engine coming from Oamaru to Dunedin. Deceased was a fireman on that engine. The engine left Oamaru at 1.45 p.m. It would then be about 2.23 p.m. when they were approaching the Otepopo tunnel. Steam was shut off about 200 yards from the tunnel. Deceased opened the firebox door a little bit and witness told him to put on the blower. While he was doing that the front of the engine entered the tunnel, which caused a back draught, and the flames came out and came up into his (deceased's) face. Witness saw him turn and put his head outside the engine. The cab of the engine had not then actually entered the tunnel. When, they came out of the tunnel deceased was hanging out of the window, with both arms outside. Witness pulled him into the cab. There was blood on his face, and witness concluded that he was unconscious. Witness laid him down and stopped the train. A passenger and the guard came along with others, and the guard went to look for a doctor. The doctor told them to put the man in the van and he would dress the wound, and this was done. When the train reached Dunedin McLeod was sent to the Hospital. There was 18 inches clear on each side of the tunnel. Witness’s opinion was that McLeod put his head out too far and struck the tunnel. Deceased had had nine years’ service. 

The Coroner said that the evidence clearly showed how the accident occurred. The blower had not been applied in sufficient time to prevent back fire, with the result that the fire had shot out, and deceased had instinctively put his head out of the window of the cabin, and it had come in contact with the side of the tunnel. A verdict would be returned that death was due to laceration of the brain, following injuries caused by deceased's head accidentally striking against the tunnel, while he was engaged as fireman.  -Otago Witness, 20/6/1922.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.