FATAL HESITATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 14

FATAL HESITATION

MOTOR-CAR PAUSED ON CROSSING CHRISTCHURCH FATALITY (Special to THE SUH) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Had he not applied the brakes when someone shouted “Look out for the train,” the accident may have been avoided. This was the belief of Bertram Aubrey de La tour, driver of the j motor-car which was smashed at Weedon’s Crossing, resulting in the death of Phyllis Irene Benson and the injury of several others. At the inquest to-day, a verdict was returned that death was caused by laceration of the brain due to a fractured skull, no blame being attachable to anybody. The coroner suggested that the Railway Department should instruct drivers of engines to sound a second blast on their whistle before arriving at the crossing, and also that it cut back the trees to provide a better view. The evidence of the driver of the car, Mr. de Latour, showed that he did not see or hear the train. It was stated in evidence that the occupants of the second car following the car driven by Mr. de Latour into which the train crashed, first noticed the train when their car was i about 50 yards from the crossing. They sounded the horn and screamed to draw the others’ attention, but apparently those in front did not hear the warning nor hear the train whistle. Mr. de Latour said he was looking to see what traffic was coming on the right, and as soon as he heard one of the girls call out “Look out for the train” he put on the brakes and looked toward the station. He did not see the train until it was 15 yards away. The back wheel of the car was struck and they were all tipped out. Witness was unconscious for a time. If he had gone straight ahead instead of applying the brakes lie did not think the accident would have happened.