Moorabbin John Doe was a man who was struck and killed by a train near Moorabbin Station in Moorabbin, Victoria.
Case[]
At approximately 9 PM on 23 August 1937, the 8:46 PM train from Mordialloc to Flinders Street was about half a mile up from Moorabbin Station. It was travelling at about 40 MPH. When it was about 10-15 yards from one of the stanchions carrying the overhead wires, the decedent came from behind the stanchion and fell on the track. The brake was immediately applied, but the train struck the deceased. A search located the decedent's overcoat, hat and pipe neatly placed on a small grassy bank close to the stanchion.
Police were then notified. Fingerprints were taken. Despite an initial police investigation, a coroner's inquest held at the Melbourne Morgue on 14 September 1937 could not identify the decedent. The inquest found that there was also no evidence to determine if the death was accidental or otherwise, although it was ruled that there was no suspicious circumstances involved.
Characteristics[]
- Sturdy build.
- Broad shoulders.
- Clean-shaven.
- Graying thin dark hair.
- Edentulous.
- Blue eyes.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Navy blue suit.
- Blue cloth overcoat.
- Dark blue and light blue striped tie.
- Blue striped collar and shirt.
- Fawn coloured felt hat.
- Black shoes, soled with rubber, size 9.
- Pipe.
- White handled pocket-knife.
- Nickel watch. Branded R.D.L.
- Small purse with 4/- in money.
- Tin of tobacco purchased at Percy Jefferson Tobacconists, Bourke St, Melbourne.