Hutchinson v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co.
Opinion of the Court
(after stating the facts as above). The action of the Circuit Court in sustaining the demurrer to the evidence was in effect to direct a verdict for defendant, or in other words, to hold that taking the testimony in support of plaintiff’s declaration to be true, together with all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, it was not sufficient in law to establish plaintiff’s contention.
We see nothing in the evidence upon which a jury would be warranted in finding that the defendant was negligent. There was nothing unusual in the operation of the train on the occasion of the accident; but, on the other hand, the spur track, or “switch,” as it was called, was being used by the defendant in the ordinary manner and' for the purpose for which it was constructed and maintained. The intestate had ample notice of the presence of the train on the main line and the intention of the operators thereof to run in and upon the switch with empty cars to be left for the use of the coal company.
When the train stopped upon its arrival and notified intestate and Green that the empty cars were to be placed upon the switch, they picked up the tools with which they were at work, left the track clear until the first three empty cars were moved in, then without making any inquiry or investigation whatever, to ascertain if the train was coming upon the switch again, Dr even looking' to see if the train had depart
As we have stated, intestate went back upon the track and practically concealed himself from the operators of the train without any notice whatever to them that he was there. He did not know the number of empty cars that were to be placed upon the switch, and it was therefore his duty to wait at least a reasonable time in a place of safety and find out if more cars were to come in, especially in view of the fact that, as testified by Green, the train was still engaged in switching on the main line. If intestate had used his senses of sight and hearing, he could have known what was going on. The action of both Green and intestate is probably explained by Green’s testimony, in which he says, “We thought the train had gone.” It was not enough, however, to merely think, nor to act upon the thought; but the further duty devolved upon intestate under conditions o E apparent danger to look and see, and if he had done this he would have discovered that the train was still there, was in motion, and was proceeding to use the switch again.
We conclude therefore that there was no error in the judgment of the Circuit Court sustaining defendant’s demurrer to the evidence, and the judgment is therefore affirmed.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HUTCHINSON v. NORFOLK & W. RY. CO.
- Status
- Published