AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1930, Page 5

AN INQUEST

FURTHER EVIDENCE.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5.

The adjourned inquest on the late Mrs Mary Oates was 'resumed at the Coui'thouse at 10 a.m., before Mr D. J. Evans, Coroner.

Sergeant King: represented the Police and: Mr H. L. Gibson, Traffic Officer of Christchurch, representing the Railway Department was also present, • Constable P. D. Dougherty gave evidence. At 2.10 p.m.' on 30th October he was seated in the office at the Police Station. Heard the whistle of the train lrom Ross blow loudly and clearly. Rose to proceed to the railway station to see the train come in. Standing at the police station door, saw the tiaip come into view at the baths. Watched the-train- as it-came, in- past the baths to the , Weld Street, cross-

ing.’ Then proceeded to walk towards the station, but /had only • travelled a few yards when he observed the 7 train .. coming to a standstill very suddenly.’ The ti&in came into view, at, a very moderate speed.,i, Did, pot observe any ;car/hpproajphing £;t!ttejj;|\ r eld. Street crossing. Did,: not crash, but .heard the strain pulling up ..suddenly, Realised (something': hjad happened and rushed Across, On the other side of fha ‘ train «aw : a cfiH- Was., the first omtha scenfef The first thing he saw nften passing trucks, was c lady \ • onthA: ground, ;on the brood of'§ei* back,; ; her. ;fe6t’;t;only. inches from/(jibe rails: of the train, her head being , to* wardaithe eesti*.-, The oar was 'abodf;,? or '8 yprds from- the train.’; In the nar were Mr Paul - Renton sOnr,, in ‘ fthe driver's position. Alongside him .was Mrs; J. Adamson of Hatihari.- In the back seat was seated Miss Oates. Did not observe Mrs Renton when he went there- Miss Oates was sitting on the right'side of the car 1 on'the side'that was considerably danlage"d : and she shewed signs 'of considerable injury. She was quite consciou’s. The lady 1 on the ground, ’Mrs’ Mary Oates, 5 the (deceased, was quite' She bad no appearance of bodily injury, ’no blood about. Went to the police station and rang up for the doctor and made arrangements immediately ,fpr, the 'removal (of the injjirqd' to .the hospifel. To Mr- Gibson—The whistle eppejjyed that day to .be very , clear and ,of fairK. long duration. Considered -it was a .whistle ,as the train came ;6ff the railway i bridge. The weather at that time, was dull but -there-'was no mist. There was a clear view. ,30 feet from the crossing, /the; bridge (was; Visible. From the railway erofcsing a distance of IQ9 feet X back 1 from the line,* a ’ full view i of the train can be seen chains away. The train - appeared to be' approaching at a very moderate speed, in fact very Blow. vr •' To, the Coroner—Saw nothing of the car till after ihe^-accidents - After .the accident the car Wflß>-pqihtihg towrifds the river almost In a line with the train. . Mrs Oates was lying.'.between the oar and tlie rails. FURTHER ADJOURNED. k

Sergeant intimated that the doctor had informed him that it was likely that Miss Oates would, be sufficiently improved in a day or two to be interviewed. The Coroner stated that it would be advisable to wait. for- the evidence flf Miss Oates, and it was decided to further adjourn the inquest to Wednesday the 12th, the Railway Department to be notified in the event of any alteration being found necessary.