THE MOTOR-CAR FATALITY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3196, 21 September 1917, Page 6

THE MOTOR-CAR FATALITY

AN OPEN VERDICT. The inquest concerning the circumstances attending the death of Gordon Challis," aged 5J years, who was knocked down by a motor-car driven by Percy Withers, . chauffeur to Mr. Walter Johnston, Hobsoa Street, was concluded yesterday before Mr. S..E. M'Carthy, S.M. Mr. M. F. O'Leary watched the proceedings ou behalf of the parents, Mr. A. Gray, K.C., appeared for I)erey Withers, and Mr. G. G. G. Watson for Mr. Walter Johnston. Sub-Inspector Dew conducted the case for the police. Mr. A. Gray briefly addressed tlie Coroner. Ho submitted that the child was killed by pure accident, for which no onq was to blame. It was admitted in evidence that the driver, Potty Withers, was both a skilful and careful driver, also that the brakes and other parts of the vehicle were, in good order. With jespect to the speed, it was shown that It was within the limits of the by-law, and at the time the street was clear of traffic. Withers was driving down a street that was clear of traffic, at the" ordinary speed," wbsin he was suddenly confronted by the child running across the. road! to liis denth. Another competent driver, Mr. A. H. Lytheer, had stated that the collision was inevitable when the child rushed across tho street. The driver had done all that was humanly possible to avoid the accident. The momentum of the vehicle, assisted by the smooth character of the street, allowed the, car to go on after the brakes were applied, though at a rapidly diminishing speed, until its progress was stopped, when it mounted the footpath. The drivftr ran his car on to the footpath to avgjd tho collision. After referring to the pedestrian, traffic, Mr. Gray said the child was too young to have been sent on a message unattended. ■

The Coroner: What one lias to realise in all these cases is that motorcars with their fast Methods of tractio.l have the full sanction of tho Legislature., These cam have very high power, and they are capable of'doing a great deal of damage, and they sliduld therefore be kept under the strictest control at all times. And. I should say, too, that with the latest methods of traction on our streets it is unsafe for ch'ildrne of tender years to be oil the streets unless they are attended by those who have reached years of discretion. As far as on our streets it is unsafe for childrni w.ns ail one way, but they do not coincide at all points. Under the circumstances the "verdict will be that Gordon Challis died in the Hospital on Friday, September 14, from injuries received from a motor : car, tho same day, such motor-cnr being driven by one Percy \? itiicra.