Coroner postpones verdict into beautician’s death

Jayantha de SILVA

High heels and a mobile phone proved to be a fatal combination to a beautician when she could not cross a railway track quickly in Kollupitiya before an approaching train knocked her down.

This was revealed at the inquest into the death of a 43 year old foreign national and a beautician by profession.

The inquest was held on on August 11 by City Coroner Edward Ahangama.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Engine Driver Kesara Costa said on August10, he was the engine driver of train No 725 which commenced from Maradana and was going towards Ratm alana.

While passing the Kollupitiya Station at about 7.25 pm, he saw a woman crossing the track towards the sea side. Her face was partly covered by her elbow as she appeared to be holding a mobile phone.

He tooted the horn and applied the brakes but her high heel shoes appeared to impede her quick crossing of the track.

The train stopped after traveling about 50 metres. When he reached the woman, she was bleeding. He informed the Bambalapitya Station by phone to keep an ambulance ready. However, she died before admission to the National Hospital.

A companion told the inquest that her friend was operating a beauty salon in Puttalam.

The Coroner postponed the verdict until the arrival of her husband and his identification of the body. PS Amerakoon led evidence assisted by PS Pathirana.