HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1930, Page 3

HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

BUS DRIVER’S TRIAL

JURY DISAGREE

By Telegraph—Per Press Association., AUCKLAND, July 30. At the trial of the -Hikuiangi bus Iriver, that the bus left the northern. Bus Company’s workshop in irst-ciass condition on April 4, was riven oy Bruce Trevor Lichfield, motor mechanic. It should have been possible to pull up .the bus travelling at id miles an hour iti 25 feet, he knew Wilkinson to he a careful and competent driver of considerable experience. .

Frederick Razeback, a passenger on the train, said the light on the engin. was not a good one. It was a dirty night. The accused, giving evidence, said he had been driving motor - vehicles for four years, and had never had an accident. It was a dark, drizziilnl night. He spoke to no one after !u started the trip; and never iexceodec•ls' miles a nliour. ’ .He ivas on the lookout u-for McLeod’shquse, hut passed' it '-without'‘knowing.- He was dazzlcu; by the lights of a car front behind. • Aii'swVfing ' : Mr : Meredith,' ' accused said lie went over' the Tolid 'morF tliaii 30 times a'week. ' He fiKst lost his' hearings ’when a ear ' came' up behind and dazzled 1 him, perhaps half a fililf; from the erbssing. His Honour warned the : jury not to take into account the’* serious consequences of the accident, which were irrelevant to the case. A man who drove a motor vehicle undertook a serious responsibilities to others, and was bound to keep ■ a proper look-out, and exercise proper care. If he failed to do so lie ,could be punished. The fadts of this case were exceedingly simple. When the driver approached the railway crossing, it was his duty to keep, a look-out, and if he failed to do so, it; was a; criminal .offence. . The* defence was that the accused had lost his. y/ay, but the-Grown case was that he (Should not .have, lost his way. After ,a .retirement of 4f hours, the jury returned to say that it could not agree. / .. . ... ...

The prisoner was released on bail of £IOO, and a new, trial was fixed to take place next, Monday 7.