PONSONBY TRAMWAY FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 254, 24 October 1907, Page 2

PONSONBY TRAMWAY FATALITY.

Leslie G. Pike, insurance agent, a passenger on the same car (No. 31), stated that just as the car approached the police station ti got up a good pace. Prior to the turning off of the power, witness considered that the car was going at from 20 to 30 miles an hour, and" he was rather uneasy at ths speed. He heard neither gong nor bell, but the motorman called out once. The line was clear at first, and then witness saw approaching from the right hand side a man, who was then on the inside line of the inward track. The motorman shouted, "What are you doing th<?re?" and deceased waos then on one of the rails about 10 or 12 yards in front. If deceased was not deaf he should have heard; but, as be was in the act of moving forward, witness did not consider that he would have had time to spring back. Had he been aware of his dang.?r he could probably have sprung forward and clear of the line. He appeared to have Ms attention attracted by cries from bystanders, and that made him keep on looking towards Ponsonby. On the impact, deceased appeared to be thrown outwards, and his legs probably fell under the car. He was dragged about 25 to 30 yards, and was pinned in under something, but the wheel had not reached him. When witness alighted from the back of the tram he saw the man's hat about two car lengths behind. (Proceeding.)