WOMAN'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 253, 26 October 1933, Page 8

WOMAN'S DEATH.

BROTHER CHARGED.

LEVEL-CROSSING FATALITY.

VERDICT OF ACQUITTAIfa

Arising out of a collision between a train and a motor car at the Kamo Road railway crossing at Whangarei on August 2 last, Warwick Euysdael Claris was placed on trial before Mr. Justice Smith at the Supreme Court this morning. Claris, defended by Mr. Trimmer, was charged with negligently driving a motor vehicle, thereby causing the death of his sister, Eunice Emily Mary Gor- ! don. He pleaded not guilty. In opening the Crown's case, Mr. Hubble said the question the jury had to decide was whether the accused had failed to observe that proper standard of care to be expected of the ordinary,] reasonable driver. Just before mid-day on August 2 the accused, with his sister, motored along the Kamo-Whangarei Road. From a point opposite the junction of Moody's Avenue and Kamo Road, 374 ft from the railway crossing, an approaching train could be seen 21 chains up the line. The onus of exercising care when approaching crossings was put upon motorists by the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1928, which provided that the maximum speed of a car when within 100 yds of a crossing should be 15 miles. Evidence would be called to show that a short distance from the crossing the accused's car had passed another. When crossing the line accused's car was struck on the extreme rear left-hand corner. Mrs. Gordon died at the hospital from injuries received in the collision. The jury, after ten minutes' retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty.