Mary Wade Family

CRUSHED TO DEATH. WAGGA SCHOOL BOY'S HORRIBLE END. FATAL RIDE ON A TRACTION ENGINE.

A stolen ride on a traction engine trailer resulted in an awful accident and ultimate death to a 13 year old school boy named Alfred William Rudd yesterday morning at North Wagga. From the evidence of the driver it appears that young lads have continuously been warned against this dangerous custom, but without avail, and the terrible calamity which has now occurred may do much towards preventing this reprehensible practice being continued.

An inquest was held by the deputy coroner, Mr Phineas Hann, J.P., into the cause of death yesterday afternoon, when the driver of the engine was exonerated from all blame in the unfortunate matter. Mr Hann remarking that the accident had solely been caused through the deceased's own fault.

THE DRIVER'S EVIDENCE. George Lawson,, driver of the traction engine, sworn, deposed as follows: I am employed by Mr James Dunn as driver of his traction engine. I was driving along the Gundagai Road this morning at 7.30 a.m., and was passing through North Wagga. There were two empty trucks attached to the engine. When nearly in front of the police station I saw three boys walking along the road ; they afterwards caught up the back trolly and hung on. I never saw them again nor hear of any accident until I was advised of it by another boy who came out to me at the 5 mile peg on the Gundagai Road, about 2 p.m. this afternoon, and said I was wanted at an inquest. The engine was travelling about 5 miles an hour when passing through North Wagga. Boys were frequently riding on the trollies. Albert McLeod, the steerer, did not notice any boys hanging on. I have frequently cautioned boys against hanging on behind.

THE CAUSE OF DEATH. Thomas William Watkins Burgess, M.D. medical officer of health, deposed to having examined the body of the deceased. It had abrasions on the left leg extending from the outer side of the knee up to and over the abdomen. The chest, wall was depressed over the region of the heart. There were marks on the back of the neck and skull behind the ear. Blood was issuing from the nose. The probable cause of death was due to internal injuries, principally to the heart. It was also probable that he had sustained fracture of the base of the skull.

HAD BEEN RABBITING. James Henry Rudd, Orchardist of North Wagga, father of the deceased, said he was not aware his son had arisen until about 7 30 when he was told by a boy named Perry that his boy was lying on the road and had been run over by a traction engine. He and an elder son went and picked the injured boy up and carried him into the house. The accident occurred about 50 yards away from his residence. The deceased was breathing very heavily, but did not speak to him. Dr. Warren was then sent for but the boy expired some time before his arrival. The deceased was a very lively active boy and well able to take care of himself. He had frequently been entrusted with a horse and cart.

PLAYMATE'S EVIDENCE. George Clarke, 13 years of age, a school boy residing with his mother at North Wagga sworn, stated: About 5.30 a.m., my brother, the deceased, B. Hurst and myself went rabbiting. We were returning home about 7.30 when we saw the traction engine and two trollies on the Junee Road. Some one suggested we should have a ride on it. Bertie Hurst got off at the corner. My brother and myself got off at the Public School, the deceased was then riding on the trolley. We. were riding on the pole of the rear trolley, between the front and back wheels. Just as I was about to enter our back gate I saw the deceased lying on the ground. The traction engine was still going on.

Roy Perry, 9½ years of age, residing with his parents at North Wagga, said he went out to see the traction engine pass about 7 30, and as he got close to it he saw the hind wheel of the rear trolley lift up as if it had passed over something. When the trolley had gone he looked back and found the deceased lying on the ground. He helped him up off the ground and across the road and asked him if he was hurt much and where he was run over. The deceased said he was hurt a lot and asked him to help him home. He then laid down again and witness went for his father and brother.

The Acting-Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death, caused by being run over by a trolley wheel, and having sustained internal injuries. The funeral will leave the deceased's fathers residence, North Wagga, at 3 p.m. to-day, when the whole of the pupils attending the public school will follow their late comrade to his last resting place. The unfortunate lad was held in high esteem by his schoolmates, who have, through one of the teachers — Miss Murphy — purchased a wreath, which will be included amongst the floral tributes.

Wagga Wagga Express (New South Wales : 1879 - 1917) Saturday 6 March 1909 p 2 Article

FUNERAL OF ALFRED RUDD.

The funeral of the late Alfred William Rudd, the victim of the traction engine accident at North Wagga on Friday, took place on Saturday morning from the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rudd, North Wagga. The parents received many cards of oondolence, expressions of sympathy, and floral tributes, one of these being from the deceased's fellow scholars of the North Wagga Public School. The cortege was a very lengthy one. The hearse was preceded by deceaseds' schoolmates, who were in charge of Mr. J. Stevenson, headmaster of the school, and Mr. James Clark, jun.

On arrival at the cemetery the remains were borne through the lines of the scholars by Messrs. A. J. Rynehart, W. Rynehart, A.J. Redman, and T. Dunn, and laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the cemetery. The Rector of St John's, Rev. G. A. Carver conducted the burial service in a very impressive manner. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. M'lntosh Bros.

Wagga Wagga Express (New South Wales : 1879 - 1917) Tuesday 9 March 1909 p 2 Article