Archibald John Shephard, (1879-2/7/1929). "dropped down on the rails"

 CUT TO PIECES

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) DUNEDIN, 2nd July. 

A middle-aged man named Archibald John Shephard, married, residing at 11, Dacre street, Caversham, was killed in the railway yard this afternoon. He was employed in the goods foreman's department, and had finished work. When a line of eight cars was being shunted into the North End station he attempted to board the nearest car, but slipped, and the whole eight passed over him, cutting him to pieces.  -Evening Post, 3/7/1929.

DEATHS

SHEPHARD. — On July 2, 1929, at Dunedin (result of an accident), Archibald John (Jack), N.Z.R., dearly beloved husband of Maud Shephard. Funeral Intimation later.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/7/1929.

RAILWAYMAN’S DEATH

KILLED DURING SHUNT 

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Archibald John Shephard, who was kilted in, the railway yards on July 2, was held this morning before Mr J. H. Bartholomew, S.M. Mr W. Ward represented the relatives of the deceased, and Mr K. A. Newman the Railway Department, by whom the deceased was employed. Sergeant Vaughan conducted the case for the police. 

Albert Knute Dobson, a railway shunter, said that at 4.25, on July 2, he was engaged in shunting the Port Chalmers train off the main line into the north dock. The deceased came over the foreman of works’ gate with a number of other men, and ran out to board the shunt. Witness was travelling on the front platform, and was taking the shunt in on the hand brake. Deceased caught hold of the first upright rail with his left hand. He had a parcel in his right hand. He made a bad job of trying to get on, and dropped down on the rails. Before witness could stop the shunt, all eight carriages had passed over him. The shunt was travelling at seven or eight miles per hour. The deceased had no right to board the car. When he fell nothing could have prevented the fatality.

Questioned by the coroner, witness stated that the men were not allowed to ride on the shunts. 

William Urquhart, leading carpenter in the Ways and Works department, gave corroborative evidence. 

To Mr Newman: There was no necessity for the deceased to have crossed the line the shunt was travelling on. 

Peter McPherson, carpenter, also gave corroborative evidence. 

Sergeant Vaughan gave evidence as to the finding of the body. 

“The evidence is undisputed, and makes it only too clear how this tragic accident occurred,” said the coroner. “Death was due to injuries caused by the deceased being accidentally run over by a shunt of railway carriages.”  -Evening Star, 8/7/1929.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.