KNOCKED DOWN BY TRUCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 220, 16 September 1924, Page 5

KNOCKED DOWN BY TRUCK.

9 LITTLE BOYS DEATH. AN ACCIDENTAL OCCURRENCE. The inquest into the death of Albert Stanley Mana Way. aged eight years, who died in the Hospital on September 7 from meningitis, following injuries he received through being knocked down in Dominion Road by a motor truck driven by hi* uncle, was completed before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.. this morning. Mr. Holmden represented •loseph John Wetheridge, the driver of the struck, and Sergeant MeAlistor, tbe police. Evidence was given by Joseph John Wetheridge. to the effect that on September 3 he was driving his motor truck along Dominion Road on his correct side. He passed the Dominion Road picture theatre, going slowly and travelling on the tram lines. " "I saw a nuinlier of children coming out of the theatre," said witness, "and f sounded my born, f saw two boys watchino- a concrete mixer on the right band side of the street. Then T looked over to the picture show where all the children were, looking back again to see that all was clear ahead. I then saw a boyfalling away from the right-hand front mudguard of the truck." Continuing, witness said that be applied his brakes and went back, taking the boy from another man wbo had picked him up. He then saw that it was his own nephew. Tbe boy's brother came along and said to witness, "f told him not to run." When witness first saw deceased he was standing between the—outgoing tram rails. His glance at the other children was only momentary, but deceased had stepped towards the truck in the meantime. Witness was travelling at about four or five miles an hour. Other evidence was given to the effect that deceased was looking ahead at the time of the accident. He did not see the truck as it approached him from the rear, travelling slowly. The Coroner found that death was due to meningitis, following injuries received through deceased being accidentally knocked down by a motor truck. No blame was attachable to the driver.