FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
GUARD KILLED AT WAIHOAKA.
A fatal accident occurred yesterday on the Waiau railway extension beyond Waihoaka, which resulted in the death of Richard George Wright, a single man about 25 years of age. About one mile beyond Waihoaka there is a downgrade, and when the ballast train reaches this grade the brakes have to be put down on the trucks. Wright was engaged on the ballast train, and on the first run after dinner yesterday the engine-driver and fireman saw him put the brakes down on the first truck when the grade was reached. They then turned to keep a look-out ahead where the gang was employed and the first intimation they had that anything had gone wrong was when the engine and trucks pulled up and an examination showed portions of clothing entangled in the axle box of one of the trucks. They ran back along the line and found the body of Wright very much mutilated. Life was extinct. The accident deeply affected the employees, with whom Wright was very popular, and work was suspended for the day. The deceased came down to the Waiau with the ballast train and crew from the Main Trunk line about four months ago, and it is understood that his people live in the Auckland district. The matter has been reported to the police, and by them has been referred to local justices for consideration. -Southland Times, 4/2/1909.
THE WAIAU ACCIDENT.
The verdict returned by the jury in the Waiau railway extension accident was — That deceased, Richard George Wright, was accidentally killed while in the performance of duties by being run over by four loaded waggons on the Waiau railway extension works. The following rider was added: That the jury are strongly of opinion that brake vans should be attached to all ballast trains. One witness stated that it was part of deceased’s duties to apply brakes on trucks going down inclines. Considered it a safe operation TO PASS FROM TRUCK TO TRICK. A BRAKE VAN IS NOT USED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXTRA HAULAGE INVOLVED. A heavier engine cannot be used on an unfinished line. The engine in use (added the witness) could not perfectly control loaded waggons on steep grades. But surely the question of extra haulage should not be allowed to weigh when it is a matter of reducing liability to accident. That is the view taken by the Orepuki Advocate in a strong article on the subject. -Southern Cross, 13/2/1909.
I have no explanation for the strange use of capitals above, except perhaps for a shortage of type.
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