FIRE ENGINE TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 10

FIRE ENGINE TRAGEDY.

THE NEWMARKET SMASH.'

CHARGE AGAINST &__"/£»

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

The case against Daniel Ricaar* Francis Glennon, charged with n»K gently driving a fire engine in Broad" way, Newmarket, thereby causing th, death of Elizabeth Jane Power, *_ concluded in the Police Court late y*». terday afternoon. *' *

Mr. Johnstone said accused had' t answer two charges, one of negligent, driving causing death and one of _»»_. gent driving. He was a little ■"«_! barrassed as to know how to continue Mr. McKean; The negligent drivia. charge will be adjourned sine die.

Continuing, Mr. Johnstone said then was a substantial difference in th* position of a fire engine and an ordinary motor ear. The standard of 'e_« that should be exacted by a fire engine driver is not the same standard as that of an ordinary driver. One section of the Fire Regulations said that the engine "will proceed with all possible speed.*' It was going to be very __ ra if fire--engine drivers were to be 'exposed to the possibility of charges' of this kind. "Wher;> is the negligences said Mr. Johnstone ■» Verdict of Negligence. The magistrate said there was 'no doubt that the engine must 2,1 with all speed to a fire. He did not think, however, that the driver could disregard the rights of all other vehicles. What he had to find was whether the speed was excessive under the circumstances. "I find that the death of deceased was due to -jock following injuries received through being knocked down by a fire engine negligently driven by Glennon," said Mr. McKean.

Accused was committed for trial, hail being allowed on one surety of £100.