STRUCK BY LORRY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 May 1938, Page 8

STRUCK BY LORRY

CHIUD ON TRICYCUE ACCIDENTAL DEATH VICTIM WARNED TO KEEP AWAY Running into the rear of a Borough Council lorry while riding her tricycle in Nixon Street, Hamilton East, on April 26, Betty Theresa Dalgity (0), a daughter of Mr and Mrs C. J. Dalgity, of Hamilton East, was injured and died on the way to the Waikato Hospital. At the inquest into the. child's death yesterday afternoon a verdict was returned by the coroner, Mr F. W. Platts, that the child died as a result of injuries received when a Hamilton Borough Council lorry driven by Fred Waters, accidentally struck her. The evidence of Dr. W. H. Davis, of the Waikato Hospital, showed that the child was dead on admission to the hospital and an examination showed ibat there were abrasions on the right leg and a laceration of the left ear. Ada Z. A. Vickers said she was standing on the verandah of her house In Nixon Street when she called to the girl to come away from the rear of the lorry in the street. The child then threw up her hand as the lorry began to back on to her and she was caught underneath. Driver’s Vision Obscured. Evidence was given by the driver, Fred Waters, who said lie was engaged on road work in Nixon Street on the afternoon of the accident. The truck was in the centre of the road and began to back to the kerb. He looked through the rear vision mirror and the road appeared to be clear. His wheels were only just moving whe.n one of the other workmen called out for him to stop. The brakes were applied immediately and, looking through the rear vision mirror again, the driver saw one of the other workmen holding a child in his arms.

Joseph Roach, another employee of the Hamilton Borough Council, said he was behind a shed on the footpath when the lorry began to move. When the lorry came into his vision he saw a child lying under the wheel and apparently she had been pushed along by the truck as she had abrasions on her limbs. Had the truck not stopped immediately the child would have been run over. Roach said he had warned the child earlier not to ride her tricycle near the lorry. According to the evidence of Benjamin Wright, who was working with the council workmen, the child rode underneath the lorry after it had stopped in the middle of the road. The vehicle was stationary for a minute or two but he did not think the driver was going to reverse. The child would be' below the level of the lorry and therefore out of the vision of the driver. 11 Unfortunate Case ” “It is an unfortunate case but it is quite clear that the child, not knowing of the danger, followed the lorry and rode underneath the rear portion,” said the coroner. Mr D. Seymour, who appeared on behalf of the child's parents, suggested that it might be desirable for a medical man to travel in the ambulance when called to an accident. The child was apparently still alive when the ambulance arrived. Mr G. A. Nichnlls appeared in the interests of the State Fire Insurance Office.