DOCTOR’S WIFE KILLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 451, 5 September 1928, Page 16

DOCTOR’S WIFE KILLED

KNOCKED DOWN BY TRAM a SYMONDS ST. FATALITY Stepping off the pavement in heavy rain, about 7 o’clock last evening, Mrs. E. S. Dukes, wife of Dr. Dukes, of 3 Glenside Crescent, Symonds Street, walked into the path of an oncoming tram. She was knocked down, receiving such injuries that she died before she could be admitted to hospital. Mrs. Dukes had left her home to go into the city, and on reaching the top of Glenside Crescent, where it joins Upper Symonds Street, stepped off the footpath to cross the road. Owing to the heavy rain, Mrs. Dukes was carrying an umbrella in her right hand. The tram, which was driven by Mr. C. Halley, was outward-bound for Onehunga. It struck her as she was in the middle of the track, the headlamp being broken by the blow. When the car was stopped it was found that Mrs. Dukes was wedged on the lifeguard under the driver’s platform and that a jack would be necessary before she could be got out. The driver hurried to the nearest jack station, at the corner of Symonds Street and Newton Road, and at the same time sent for one of the staff on duty at the Newton depot. An ambulance from the hospital was called, and when Mrs. Dukes was lifted from the lifeguard, about 10 minutes after the accident, she was rushed to hospital. She died before admission, however, her most serious injury being a fractured skull.

Tramway authorities explain that jacks are not carried on trams, since stations where jacks may be obtained are established every half-mile along all routes and at crossings and intersections. A list of these stations is carried on the driver’s platform in all cars.