World War 11 Casualties

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Maloney William James

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY

Inquest Adjourned

Evidence was given by soldiers at an inquest continued by the Coroner (Col Clark) at Hobart yesterday on William James Maloney (38), formerly of Ulverstone, who was fatally injured when a motor-truck in which he was a passenger, collided on Feb. 10 at the Pontville level-crossing, on the Apsley line, with a railway train travelling towards Hobart.

William Emos Atkins said that with Ernest William Henry Lavelle, driver of the truck, and other passengers, he had been working on a job 50 yards from the crossing. They were travelling in second gear when the train suddenly came on them. Witness was in the cabin seat beside Lavelle, who was a careful driver. If a warning sign had been set up at the crossing the accident might have been prevented. He did not hear the engine whistle blow.

Raymond Cornelius Hills said he was riding on the tray of the truck. When he saw the engine about six yards away he jumped clear. The noise made by the truck was not such as to prevent his hearing the engine whistle. He heard no whistle. I didn't expect to see a train at that crossing and no look-out was kept for one," he added.

Allan Percy Apted, who also was in the tray of the truck, said he heard no whistle.

The inquest was further adjourned. Mr N. L. Thomas, secretary of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Engine men, appeared in the interests of John Francis Fahey, driver of the train, and Arthur Henry White, fireman. Major Kelynack represented the Army, and Sgt W. J. Betts the police

The Mercury 19 Feb 1944 

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