DEATH OF MRS. SNOW

CORONER'S FINDING

An inquest into the death of Mrs. S. E. O. Snow, aged 75, who was knocked down by a tramcar outside the Wellington Hospital on January 19, and who died on February 13, was held today by Mr. J. Gilbertson, the Coroner.

Dr. H. C. Tremewan said that Mrs. Snow was admitted to the hospital with a broken leg. The condition of her heart was not good, and she died from heart failure. •

In answer to the Coroner, the witness said that her death .was due also to shock. The accident contributed to her death.

\ The driver of the tram, Cecil Francis Tanner, said.that as. he approached the hospital, city bound, he slowed down, but as nobody was waiting at the tram stop he increased his speed again. When about twelve feet 'from the stop he noticed a dark object on his right. He rang the bell and applied the emergency brake. After striking the deceased the tram pulled up in about six feet. The night was fine, but the street lights were not good, as the electric power had been giving trouble during the evening. To Mr. J. O'Shea (City Solicitor) the witness said that Mrs. Snow took no notice when he rang the bell. She quickened her pace. When she was struck she was within two or three feet of clearing the tram. When he eased up the car he did not see anyone.

Evidence was given that in a, statement to the police after the accident, Mrs. Snow said that when she commenced .to cross the road she saw a tram coming from Ifewtown. She thought she had plenty of time in which to cross.

A verdict was returned that death was due to heart failure resulting from shock from having sustained a broken leg in a collision with a tram.