THE TRAM FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 25 March 1922, Page 7

THE TRAM FATALITY.

MOTORMAN COMPLETELY F.XONERATED. The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances attaching the death of John Gladwin Vereoe, farm labourer. Putaruru, which took place on Monday evening as the result of a street crossing accident. AA-hcn he came into collision Avitb a tram, aas? resumed before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., coroner, yesterday afternoon. •James Edward Cole, motorman. said he AA-as driving the tram that struck the deceased. The accident took place at 4.20 p.m. The deceased passed in front of an approaching car, and then attempted to dart in front of the tram Avitness Avas driving. He Avas then almost running with his bead down. The brakes were applied before the tram struck the man, but it travelled about nine feet, and the deceased Ava-s beneath the front of the tram. The AAheels did not touch him. but Ycrcoe Avas unconscious and bleeding considerabh'. The injured man Avas later remoA-_d to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the same evening. There Avas no time to avoid the impact. Pieces of broken bottle found on the deceased Avere produced in court. Mr. Poynton said he did not desire to press that aspect of the case, but the fragments were probably those of a whisky bottle, and there Avas evidence that deceased sometimes gave way to that weakness, which, combined with the fact that he only had one eyr, \!_* probnbly the reason "of his death. It avss very unfortunate for all concerned. -John Simki.-s. another motorman. said Ihe saw - Yereoe Avalk diagonally across j Queen Street. AVitness sounded hi- ] gong. Another car was approaching j,, I the opposite direction. The deceased hesitated, then commenced to run. and Avas finally struck by the other car. Whose speed then he estimated was about 8 miles per hour.

Constable Robt. Todd, an eye-Avitness. said the brakes of the tram were applied Avith all speed. The deceased's breath smelt strongly of whisky. The A-erdict was to the effect that deceased met his death by an accident entirely his oavti fault, and that no blame aviis attachable to anyone. The driA-er of the tramcar was completely exonerated.