DREAD DISASTERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3417, 8 January 1912, Page 5

DREAD DISASTERS

HORRIBLE RAILWAY FATALITY. „ MAN AND WOMAN RUN OVER. HAD HAD SUPPER ON RAILWAY LINE AND EVIDENTLY GONE TO SLEEP. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.!]! THAMES, Jan. 7. A shocking accident occurred on Saturday night on the Kauaeranga River milway ibridge, near Thames. "Upon the arrival at Thames of the 9.20 train the driver was making the usual, examination of tlie engine when he discovered a man’s cap on the front portion, and blood stains and hair and 1 pieces or flesh' proved beyond doubt that a fatality had occurred. The police were communicated with, and a search commenced and l the alwful discovery was made that two persons had met death with startling suddenness. The body of Walter Miller, thirty-six, Io!cal carrier, was found in the river, while the body of a half-caste Native woman, Piri Te Pere, forty, was found on tlie bridge, terribly mutilated. The man was found near the river bank, and the woman on a sleeper some distance from the bank. Exactly how the fatality occurred is a mystery. The ■ngine driver did not feel any bump. Though lie kept a good look-out, liesaw no one. The presumption is that the couple, not knowing of the holiday change in trains, thought tlie last train had passed, and after crossing the bridge sat down and had some fish and beer, and went to sleep.,