FIRE ENGINE TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1926, Page 8

FIRE ENGINE TRAGEDY.

THE NEWMARKET SMASH.

MRS. E. J. POWER'S DEATH,

CHARGE AGAINST DRIVER.

The Newmarket fire-engine fatality on March 19, when Elizabeth Jane Power (60) wae killed through being knocked down by the engine, was recalled at the Police Court this morning. Daniel Richard Francis Glennon, the driver of the engine, was charged with negligently driving a fire-engine in Broadway, Newmarket, thereby causing the death of Elizabeth Jane Power. The inquest wae taken in conjunction with the police prosecution.

Mr. W. R. McKean heard the case. Sub-Inspector Lewin prosecuted, Mr. Alan Moody appeared for the relatives of the dead, woman, and Mr. A. H. Johnstone represented the Auckland Fire Board. How the Accident Happened. James M. Johnston, a tram conductor, said the fire engine, when he first saw it, was on its correct side. A number of vehicles blocked the way of the engine just near the safety zone. The engine came at a gradual angle to the inside of the zone, from its proper side to its wrong side. The deceased stepped off the footpath on to the road. She was walking at a slight incline towards the engine and towards the safety zone. She was looking towards Epsom. When the deceased was half-way between the footpath and the safety zone she hesitated. She was hit by the engine and was thrown a distance of about 14 or 15 yards. Tβ Mr. McKean: The fire engine sotpped at the intersection of Broadway and Remuera Road. Cross-examined by Mr. Johnstone, witness said the siren was making a big noi*e. The driver did not have time to do anything. Estimates of Speed. "I should think the speed of the engine was from 3f> to 40 miles per hour," said the Rev. E. C. Budd, who stood watching the engine, fearing that there would be an accident. There was not much traffic about at the time. When the engine came abreast of the safety zone it swerved to the right. Witness did not actually see the woman struck, but saw what appeared to be a bag in the air. He saw the body on the other side of the road, but did not see the actual collision. George Page, an electrical engineer, described the traffic in Broadway at the time of the accident. The road between the safety zone and the left-hand footpath was blocked with traffic. He said the siren of the fire engine was enough to alarm everybody in the neighbourhood. Another Estimate —50 Miles. Gerald Beamish White was driving a car in Broadway at the time. He said the engine was not doing under 50 miles per hour. It slackened pace as it approached, and got half-way through Newmarket. It iip.peared to be pulliug up when it swerved. Thomas E. Uusworth, when crossexamined by Mr. Moody, said he did not notice if the brakes were applied. There was nothing to stop the accused from slackening his epeed before he reached the safety zone. The siren was sounded all the time. The driver evidently thought that deceased was going straight on, and she evidently thought the engine was going straight on. In a statement to the police after the accident, the driver of the engine estimated his speed at between 28 and 30 miles per hour. Constable A. White said the driver did not report the accident to the police until he went along and interviewed him. The driver twice passed the police station, but did not report. Dr. D. N. W T . Murray described the injuries received py the dead woman. In his opinion death was due to shock following internal injuries received. Accused was committed for trial on bail of one surety of £100.