The motor trolly accident which happened at Young Siding on April 28, in which a fettler named Edward Sharp received injuries which resulted in his death a few days later, was responsible for a coronial enquiry which occupied the attention of the Coroner, Mr. A. E. Burt, the whole of Monday, while it was found necessary to recall Dr. Johnson on Tuesday morning. In all seven witnesses were examined.
It appears from the evidence of those who were at the siding at the time that a stock train was engaged loading sheep when the Denmark-Albany train came along, after which a motor trolly came up from the direction of Denmark, with five men on it, namely, G. Goldsmith, E. Baldwin, J. Weight (ganger), Edward Sharp (deceased), and J. Kay. Owing to the stock train being on the road, the trolly was stopped some distance on the Denmark side of the siding, but shortly afterwards the ganger, while speaking to Guard Bamford, of the stock train, between the main line and the loop, beckoned the men on the trolly, which was about 120 yards down the line, to come up. The call was responded to. When the trolly got in a line with Weight and Bamford travelling at about two miles per hour, the former jumped on the back step of the trolly. Seeing the trolly did not stop. Bamford called out to Weight, "The points are open down there, Ted." Weight nodded his head and raised his hand in acknowledgment that be had heard the caution from Bamford. Bamford then walked back to his train, when Driver Pritchard drew his attention, saying, "Look, look." On Bamford looking down the line towards Albany he noticed the trolly at right angles across the rails. Pritchard then remarked that they had better go down and see if anyone was hurt, and on reaching the trolly he saw the other men lifting Sharp out of a drain on the side of the line. Pritchard, a first aid man, took charge of the injured man, and took him to the brake van and had him taken to Albany, and he was taken to the hospital. Guard Bamford, in reply to Superintendent O'Connor, stated that a disc was at the points where the accident took place. There was nothing to obscure the view of the men on the trolly when he looked down the line, but a high wind was blowing, which might have prevented Weight from hearing his caution about the points being open. The disc, at the points showed green if the points were set for the main line, and red if set for the siding.
According to Driver Pritchard, who was at the siding at the time, a heavy wind was blowing and rain was falling, while heavy rain had been falling. Pritchard did not see the accident, for as Weight boarded the trolly and Banford cautioned him about the points being against him, he walked to the train with Bamford, but on looking down the line a few seconds after reaching his engine he saw the trolly off the rails. He corroborated Bamford's statement in regard to going to the trolly, where on examination he considered Sharp to be seriously injured. He had deceased removed to the brake van and taken to Albany. The red disc should be visible for a distance of 100 yards. It was not too bright, but witness had a trained eye. Possibly an untrained eye would not see it at that distance. The disc should be brighter.
Dr. Johnson gave evidence of the injuries, which he said were consistent with what might be caused by a fall or jump from a trolly. Deceased was operated on by trepanning, as he had symptoms which indicated that he had a chance of life if this were done. The reason why this was not done earlier was that his condition was so much worse on that day, and the operation was vitally necessary. He added that he made a report to the coroner, and the statements were in accordance with the facts.
Horses Obstruct View.
The driver of the trolly on the day in question stated that he had his view obstructed by horses crossing the line, which prevented him front seeing the points, with the result that before he knew where he was the trolly was on the points. According to his statement he did not hear Bamford or Pritchard say anything about the points. After his view had been obstructed for a time by one animal crossing the line to join its mates, Baldwin called out "The points." At the same time Kay also noticed the points were open, and he switched his engine off about two yards from the open points. The pace was five or six miles an hour, and the brakes were on when the trolly jumped the points. He was travelling under the ganger's instructions, and did not consider it his duty to ascsertain from the guard if the points were correct. The presence of a train in the yard would necessitate him slowing down. He often drove the trolly, the brakes of which were in good order. On a level grade, such as at Young Siding, it would take five or six yards to pull the trolly up. There was no obstruction until the horses crossed the line. He never noticed the disc or the points level. He contended that it was not his duty to enquire whether the points were with or against him. All the occupants were thrown off the trolly, deceased and himself being thrown over the top of the trolly into the drain. When he rose he heard Sharp calling out, "Oh, my head." He went to his assistance and raised Sharp's head from the ground. Sharp was on his back, and asked Kay to lower his head, as he was in pain. Witness called for help to lift deceased from tbc drain.
Attention Attracted by Horses.
According to Ganger Weight, who corroborated the statement of Bamford as to approaching the siding, the horses, which were on the permanent way, attracted the attention of the driver, while the animal crossing the line obstructed the view of those on the trolly from seeing the disc or the points, the trolly being right on the points before the horse had crossed over the line, and there was no time to stop the machine from jumping the points. The trolly travelled along the ballast for several yards before turning down the bank. All the occupants were thrown off. He was dazed by the fall but Sharp was badly injured. He never heard Bamford give any caution about the points. The weather was bad, and he waved to Pritchard as he was leaving. Bamford may have called out. He had no recollection of nodding his head. He generally drove the trolly, but was ill on the day. Kay took bis place, which he always did when witness was away. Kay was an efficient driver. He was of opinion that having delegated his duties to Kay the latter was responsible to see all was clear on the line on that particular day. He (witness) would also be responsible for the trolly, but being indisposed he was not driving.
Other Evidence.
George Goldsmith and Edward Baldwin also testified, but their evidence was mostlv corroborative of the previous witnesses. They added that they did not hear Bamford call out as the trolly moved away from the siding, while Edward Balres? called at the request of Mr O'Connor, gave details about the interlocking gear and the points and signal discs, which he claimed were im good order.
The Verdict.
The following morning the coroner returned the following verdict:- "That deceased came to his deathh [sic] on the 2nd day of May, 1926, from injuries resulting from a fall on the 28th day of April, 1926, from a railway motor trolly at Young Siding, on the Denmark line, which was derailed at the points at that siding, owing to the culpable negligence of Joseph Frederick Kay, who was driving it."
Source: The Albany Despatch, 20 May 1926, Page 3