Opinion
11529
June 9, 1924.
Before MEMMINGER, J., Barnwell, Spring Term, 1923. Affirmed.
Action by T.F. Bennett against Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. and another. From an order of nonsuit plaintiff appeals.
The plaintiff was a passenger on defendant's train, due to arrive at Orangeburg about 10:30 p. m., but did not alight at his destination, and later got off the train at the water tank west of Orangeburg, and attempted to walk back to the station at Orangeburg. On his way back he stepped off of the trestle over the Edisto River, and sustained the injuries involved in the present action.
Messrs. Brown Bush, R.C. Holman and Thomas M. Boulware, for appellant, cite: Injuries sustained by passenger walking home after leaving station at invitation of trainmen held proximate result of negligence of trainmen: 105 S.C. 132; 146 S.W. 849; 157 S.W. 245; 141 S.W., 341. Passenger who passes his station is still a passenger until he refuses to pay additional fare: 79 S.E., 91; 113 N.W., 447; 20 L.R.A. (N.S.), 1019; 145 Pac., 1023; 128 A.S.R., 234; 105 S.W. 26.
Messrs. Harley Blatt and Douglas McKay, for respondent, cite: Liability of carrier where passenger is carried beyond destination: 10 C.J., 825; 2 Hutch. Car., 3rd Ed., Sec. 1126; 182 Pa., 457; 8 Sou., 330; 90 Mo. App., 489; 66 Tex., 603; 76 S.W. 697. Plaintiff voluntarily leaving train terminated relation of passenger: 15 L.R.A., 399; 69 S.C. 445; 71 S.C. 532; 117 S.W. 217. Proximate cause: 54 Mich., 555; 3 Hutch. Car., 3rd Ed., Sec. 1428, 1430; 72 S.C. 336.
June 9, 1924. The opinion of the Court was delivered by
This is an appeal from an order of nonsuit granted by his Honor, Judge Memminger, at Barnwell, Spring term, 1923.
The exceptions, three in number, allege error. We see no error. According to his own testimony, the plaintiff was asleep when he reached his destination, Orangeburg. When he arrived at the coal chute, and was told where he was, he, of his own volition, disembarked from the train; he was not required to do so. He saw the trestle, for he says when he saw it he turned back and attempted to catch the train, but it pulled out before he got to it, and he then attempted to walk the trestle, and fell off. The whole evidence fails to show any actionable negligence against the railroad. Appellant's negligence was the sole cause of his injury.
The exceptions are overruled, and judgment affirmed.
MESSRS. JUSTICES FRASER, COTHRAN and MARION concur.
MR. CHIEF JUSTICE GARY did not participate.