WELLINGTON TRAM SMASH.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1920, Page 3

WELLINGTON TRAM SMASH.

LIST OF INJURED

WELLINGTON, January 5. The list of those injured in Saturday’s tramway accident is as follows: Evans, Mrs Honora, wife of Mr J. Evans (killed) • slight cut on nose and severe shock.

Evans, Erica, her daughter, aged 10 years; cuts on the head and on one leg. Hannigan, Annie, 11 years of age (staying with Mrs Evans, on a visit from Ashburton); slight cut on cheek. Haigh, Edna, 12 years of age, of Lower Hutt; cuts on right eye and arm. Muir, Miss, 78 Mamribanks street; injuries about back and arias; severe; progressing favourably. McStay, a fireman, City Fire Brigade; sprained ankle. NeaJ, Frank, married, residing in Lincoln street, Brooklyn and employed at Abraham and Williams’ wool store; injuries to both knees and hands and back.

Quavle, Frederick Ernest, conductor of the car, residing at Ann crescent, Lyall Bay, .slight injuries to back. Range, R. W., fireman, City Fire Brigade; sprained ankle and bruised abdomen.

Wade, William, assistant purser, s.s. Mararoa; slight injuries. An inquest on the bodies of the three victims of the accident was opened today. After formal evidence bad been taken it was adjourned until Monday next. It was stated that , Motorman Small was in good health at the time of the aeiedent.

Saturday’s tramway accident has called attention to the necessity for a medical examination of motormen to see that they are organically sound. The overcrowding of the Wellington trams is also a. matter requiring attention. The shortage of rolling stock is no doubt the oanise, nind this was inevitable, owing to the necessity for limiting building during the war. It is no very uncommon sight nowadays to see every seat in a Wellington tram car occupied, and as many a,s from thirty to forty passengers straphanging. The over-crowd-ing would prevent, the conductor from going to the assistance of the motorman in the event of anything happening to'him, while the added weight must be a source of danger should the brakes fail to act on an incline.