THE INQUEST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 3

THE INQUEST

A VERDICT OP ACCIDENTAL DEATH. An inquiry into tho circumstances connected with the death of Mr. Colvin was held by the Coroner (Mr. W. G. liiddell, S.M.), at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Acting-Senior Sergeant Wade conducted the inquiry on behalf of tho police, and Mr. J. O'Shea, city'solicitor, represented tho City Corporation. Dr. C. P. Pattio stated that on arrival nt the scene of the accidont— the corner of Bunny and Eeatherston Streets—ho found tho deceased dead. Death was probably due to shock, following on injuries to the head received through boing struck down. In liis opinion, the injuries were not serious, and a younger man would have survived. Death was probably instantaneous. Motorman James Young said that he was in charge of a tramcar proceeding to Kilbirnic, via I'catherston Street, at about 10.G p.m. on Wednesday, and when approaching Bunny Street intersection lie saw the deceased running across tho road. He sounded his gong and applied both brakes. Deceased was apparently endeavouring to cross the lines, and the tiumear was travelling at about seven or eight miles an hour. Witness did not eee deceased till the car was within four or five yards of the deceased, and it was not possible to avoid striking him. The car travelled about three yards before it was pulled up, and when witness went back Mr. Colvin was apparently dead. There was no traffic at the time and the road was well lit.

To Mr, 6'Shea: Witness had no opportunity of avoiding the accident. Archie Dockery, railway 'porter, who witnessed the accident, •liusidercd that tile deceased thought, -hat the tramcar was going to stop, and with that idea crossed the line.' Tho action of the deceased led him io assume that lie had time to pass in front of the tram. The corner of Bunny and ]?enthwston Streets was not a compulsory stop, and witness did not think that the motorman could have seen tho deceased before he did.

William Deinpsey benm-dy, telegraphist, who was also a witness of tho accident, stated that he thought that the tram had been pulled up as quickly as possible. Sergeant D.Scott gave formal evidence as to the removal ot tho body. Deceased was about 75 years of age, aid had a grown-up family residing in AVcstport. l''roin what witness could gather the deceased was walking towards tho wharf

At this stage His Worsaip ren arked that the only point he had a doubt about was the deceased's view of the tiamcar and the track and that of the motorman.

Mr. O'Shea stated that a mniorman was trained to look ahead, and tho Supreme Court had held! that this was his duty. Such being the case it was difficult for a motorman to see what was coming from tho sides. Mr. D. M'Gillivray, traffic panager for the City Corporation Tramways, slated that motormen were trained to look ahead though they must necessarily keep an eyo on sido traffic. It was a common habit of intending. passengers to run in front of an approaching tram. The motorman, recalled, stated that the deceased did not give any signal tor tho tram to stop. Unless witness was signalled to stop he vculd proceed on.

In returning his verdict, Ihu Coroner euid that it was a most unfortunate Occident. The deceased Mas apparently ißoing to catch a tramear to return to his hotel, after attending to his Parliamentaryduties. Deceased was seen running towards the front of the tram, aid it was pofcsiblo that he intended to catch it. •Peqoased did not ;nake any signal, and the fact that ho was running suggested that ho intended to tbo cross the fiout of tho tram beforo giving the eijnal. The tram was pulled up promptly, tut tho deceased had been struck heavily and Knocked to tho ground. The Coroner was not prepared to say that the motorwan did not act us promptly as anyone else under similar circumstances. Thero was a duty on the part of civilians! to watch out for traffic in 1 lie s.'inc way is thero was on the part of (he motorman. Tho verdict would le Rat tho deceased James Colvin tiled at Wellington on Octobor 29 from ti o ellccts of injuries* received through being accidentally struck by.a tramear at the ii'.lorsoetion of Bunny and Eeathorstou Sheets. Tho accident was a most unfortunate cne, and the Coroner did not think that the motorman could be held responsible for it.