THE INQUEST

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 25

THE INQUEST

The inquest concerning the death of Mr William Bennett, head master of the Macandrew Road School, who collided with a tramcar while bicycle riding on the Forbury road on Friday evening, was held by Mr C. C. Graham, coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr M. Cormick was chosen foreman.

The City Corporation was represented by Mr W. C. MacGregor.

Samuel Brettell, rnotorman, the first witness called, was visibly affected. He said : I wa? proceeding with my car to St. Clair. On the St. Clair side of Shiel's quarry I approached another car going to Dunedin. When about- threc-quaxters past the car a cycle 6uddenlv appeared fiom behind that car. I had not seen this bicycle previously, and I had just about lft to work on. I immediately applied mv magnetio brakes, but had ho chance of stopping in time to prevent a collision. I drew my car up and went back to the body. Deceased was lying about 15ft behind the car, and the conductor and I picked him up and placed him on the rear platform. He was then evident I v quite dead. We noticed an express coming from town, and we got the body on to this, the driver making for the hospital. The accident occurred about 5.22 p.m. To Mr MacGregor : I had no power on at the time, and rang my gong as usual.

Conductor Lamborn stated : I remember meeting the car from St. Clair, and I heard our gong .rung. I had not seen any cycle behind the St. Clair tram. The first I knew of an accident was -when I was thrown against the partition of the ear by the application of the brakes. Hearing a neculiar noise in the front of the car, I looked out and saw a man lying on the load. The car came to a dead stop, and I went to the man.

To Mr MacGregor: Brettell is a very careful driver, and could not possibly Pave pulled up quicker. John Wright, valuer, deposed as follows: I reside at St. Clair. Yesterday (Friday) evening I went home by the car of which Brettell was driver. 1 was in the corner seat in front. As -we approached Shiel's corner I saw the other car approach, and heard the gong 6ound on each car. Just before we cleared the other car I saw a man's hat (I could not see his cycle) come in front of the car. At the same time fjoniething struck our car. I stooxl up, but could see nothing. Then I looked Cut and saw the body on the road. The car was brought up in a few paces after I saw the man's hat. It could not have been done quicker. I knew the deceased well, but would not have recognised him. To Mr MacGregor: The other traok was apparently quit© clear except for the apFroaehing' car when we rounded the corner, tu*d Mr Bennett must luuce beta Tecf dose

behind that ear. The aecklonf, in my opinion, was quite unavoidable. Charles Francis Alexander, general manager of the corporation tramways, deposed to having known Brettell, tho motorman, since June, 1906. He was a first-class driver, prid a most careful man, and witness had never had to gne him the slightest caution. From witness's experience he understood just how the accident must have occurred, and it would have been quite impossible to a\oid the collision. Thomas E. Bennett, draper, said that deceased, who was his father, was a skilled cyclist.

The Coroner, in summing up, said it was quite ciiOent that no blame was attachable to anioue. It was frequently commented on in the papei-s that this practice of riding close behind a car was very dangerous, because if the car came to a standstill suddenly and the rider swerved io avoid it. he was quite likely to run into a car coming down the other track. Thi* -sad affpir should prove a warning. 1 The jury returned a. verdict that deceased was aecidentallj- killed by collision with a car, and that no blame' could be attached to anyone. ,