OLD MAN’S SHOCKING FATE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3218, 15 May 1911, Page 2

OLD MAN’S SHOCKING FATE.

KNOCKED DOWN BY A TRAIN.

'And dies in the hospital

(PRR PRESS ASSOCIATION.J

CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. A man named John Hill, aged 62, Who resided with liis son at Sockburn, and who was admitted to the hospital at 8.30. o’clock last night, suffering from a serious wound in. the forehead, died in the institution early this morning. _ He was found at the Sockburn railway station in a dazed condition, haying apparently had a fall, but how the accident occurred is not known at present. It is supposed that in. endeavoring to escape from the train lie was either struck by the engine or stumbled and hit Ms head. He had an abscess on the forehead, and as a result of the blow lie received this commenced to bleed profusely. No one appears to have witneesed the accident. At the inquest the evidence of Henry Baker, an engine driver, was to the effect that when the train, from Ashburton, which lie was driving, and which arrived at Christchurch at 6.45 p.nn. on Friday night, was approaching Sockburn, he (witness) saw the deceased immediately hr front of the cowcatcher, which struck liimi at the same time. Hill had just stepped off the line, and the cowcatcher struck him sideways clear of the line and on to the -datform. A flask of, whisky was found on him at the hospital', and the doctor stalled that Hill smelt slightly of alcohol when admitted, but was ab'e to speak intelligentlyl. There was no. sign of fracture when, he was examined, bu't a post mortem revealed a fracture of the skull extending backwards from a. cancer which had eaten through the bone of the skull, so that the brain was exposed at one spot. He felt sure Hill must have died in a few weeks but death was due 'to a fracture of the skull. Hill’s son. stated that liis father was a butcher enudoved at Islington. He was given to drink, but was not under its influence on the day of the accident. A verdict was returned in accord w.tli the. medical testimony, the. Coroner remarking that persons crossing the lail■way line and not using the over-bridge must be prepared to take the consequences.