CASUALTIES.
A shocking accident, which had a fatal termination, happened on Saturday afternoon to a man named Robert Jeffrey, who was employed as a surfaceman on the Dunedin railways. It appears that as the 2.5 p.m. train from town for the racecourse was passing through the goods sheds yard, Jeffrey got on the line and was knocked down by the engine, which severed both his legs from his body. He was conveyed to the hospital, where, although he received every attention from Dr Hocken, he died about 20 minutes to 5 o'clock in the afternoon. He, however, was able to state that he saw the engine coming along, but inadvertently stepped on to the line which it would have to pass over to reach the Ocean Beach line. As will have been noticed by those who have passed over the line, the Ocean Beach train gradually works across at the various points from the line nearest Crawford street until it reaches that nearest the bay, and Jeffrey momentarily forgetting this got on the wrong line. He realised his danger almost as soon as he did so, but he appears to have hesitated a second and then apparently slipped in his haste, so that the engine was upon him and the wheels passed over him. The deceased leaves a wife and a large family, who reside at the Kaikorai Valley. Great sympathy is felt for them in their bereavement, and several persons have already forwarded subscriptions unsolicited to Mr Ashcroft, stationmaster, on their account, and he will be also happy to receive any further assistance. The Pinafore Company of amateurs who have been playing "Les Cloches de Corneville," assisted by other local talent, will give a performance in aid of the bereaved family, for which Mr Sibbald has promised the gratuitous use of the theatre. At the inquest, at which a verdict of " Accidentally killed" was returned Dr Hocken deposed that he was telephoned for about half-past 2 on Saturday afternoon to go to the hospital. He went immediately, and arrived a minute or two after the deceased's admission. He found him suffering from shock. The left leg was cut quite off by the knee, and the thigh above was terribly crushed. The right leg was also severed, with the exception of a little bit of skin, just about the lower part of the thigh. The deceased was pulseless, and a cold perspiration upon him. Seeing that an operation could not be performed then, he directed hot bottles to be put to him, and brandy freely administered, as well as milk and beef tea. Witness then left, and returned in about three hours to see if he had rallied at all, but found that he had died a few minutes before. When witness saw the deceased on going to the hospital the first time he asked him how the accident happened. Deceased said it was entirely his own fault; that he had seen the train coming, but thinking it was going on to another line, he got on to the one where he was knocked down. It was a mistake; it was a miscalculation. The cause of death was shock induced by the terrible injuries deceased had received. -Otago Witness, 2/3/1888.
THE JEFFREY BENEFIT.
'Les Cloches' was reproduced last night, the performance being in aid of the fund for the relief of the family of the late Robert Jeffrey, who was accidentally killed on the railway line last Saturday. The public responded to the appeal by packing the house in all parts. The performance was one of the best the company have yet given us, for the singers were in good voice, the orchestra gave a splendid rendering of interludes and the accompanying music, and the stage arrangements did not suffer by the revival. Had encores been permitted the show would not have been over before midnight. Before the last act, the Mayor appeared at the footlights, and, on behalf of the suddenly bereaved widow and children, thanked the company, the orchestra, and all who had assisted in the performance. He did not think there could be anything more sad than to see a man cut off in the full vigor of his manhood at a moment's notice, and he had felt sure the citizens of Dunedin would be happy to come forward and give aid in such a cause. He was glad to state that L135 had been taken in the theatre that night — (applause)— and as the expenses were very light, he believed they would be able to hand over Ll30 as the net proceeds. — (Renewed applause.) He should like to ask similar assistance from the public on the succeeding night, when a performance would be given for the family of John McCutcheon, who was drowned while nobly endeavoring to save the life of a fellow-creature. If all those present could not come themselves, they could, he urged, get their friends to come, so that there might be an equally good house. A presentation would be made on the occasion to Mr Cannon, who had also heroically gone to the assistance of the young lady who was drowning, and with better fortune. — (Applause.) The committee are also desirous of thanking the performers and orchestra who took part in last evening's entertainment. -Evening Star, 3/3/1888.
No comments:
Post a Comment