Elderly Man Killed When Leaving Tram

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 1

Elderly Man Killed When Leaving Tram

KNOCKED DOWN BY MOTOR-VAN DRIVER LATER ARRESTED • Getting out of a tram at the corner of Salisbury and New North Roads last evening, Mr. Samuel Leathern, of 601 New North Road, was struck by a light motor-van and killed. William David Weller, of 15 Preston Avenue, Mount Albert, the driver of the van, was later arrested and charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motor vehicle. rpHE accident occurred at about 6.15 p.n., just opposite Mr. Leathern’s house. Mr. Leathern got off from the rear platform of the tram, which was going in the direction of the terminus, and the van ran into him from behind, carrying him to the front of the tram before the driver could pull up, according to witnesses. Dr. Graham D. Lindsay was called but Mr. Leathern was already dead when he arrived. He had received head injuries, a broken arm and several other wounds. Mr. Leathern was an elderly man, employed as a bricklayer. He was married and had a grown-up family. It is thought that the van may have struck the tram, as one of its wheels was broken. APPEARANCE IN COURT William David Weller, a butcher aged 33. appeared at the Police Court this morning charged with being intoxicated in a motor-ear on the New North Road yesterday, and through his negligent driving causing the death of Samuel Leathern. On the application of Sub-Inspector McCarthy, who described the case as very serious, a remand was granted until August 1. Mr. Vialoux applied for bail, which was fixed in one surety of £250.