PUTARURU RAILWAY FATALITY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2532, 19 June 1909, Page 5

PUTARURU RAILWAY FATALITY

THE INQUEST—ACCIDENTAL death.

(Per Press Association.)

ROTORUA, June 181 At the inquest in connection with the Putaruru accident it was shown that a truck of timber was being drawn from the Totara Timber Company’s mill to tho railway , station bv a horse, which was going at a trot. The driver, standing on the buffers behind, the horse, saw some children on the line and:called out to them. Some of tho children went off the line towards the road, but two girls named Collier went mt the opposite side of the line and endeavored to save themselves by standing close to the timber skid. The truck was on a down grade, and the brake was at the opposite end ot the truck to the driver, who had no control over it. Before reaching the children the driver jumped, off, ran back to the truck, and put on the brake, but ib was too late. The truck came into contact with the children, and crushed in their chests. The driver saw the children fall. An examination of them by Dr. Stewart five minutes after the accident proved that life was extinct. The driver’s view was obscured by trees, and he was within fifteen yards of tho children before lie saw them. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and no blame was attached to anyone. They iiuded a rider suggesting the removal of the trees. The girls wore aged twelve and fourteen years respectively, and wore returning from school. They, wore the onlv children of their parents, for whom much sympathy 7s felt. Mr. Collier, their father, works in connection with the mill.