TRAMWAY FATALITY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 7

TRAMWAY FATALITY.

CORONER'S ENQUIRY. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Thomas Alexander Hamilton who died as a result of injuries received in a tramway accident on February 27th, was resumed on Tuesday, before Mr H Y. Yfiddowson, Coroner. Mr J. J. Dougall was present on behalf of the Tramway Board, and Mr W. H. Down, a son-in-law of the deceased, for the relatives. Dr. A. B. Pearson gave evidence to the effect that a post-mortem examination carried out by him showed the cause of death to be shock, following haemorrhage of the brain and fracture offfi W of the 5k,.11. * were fractured. lhere was a_ wneU of alcohol about the stomach but no hint of its having been taken 'To Mr Down: It was possible that the alcohol was administered after tne aC lsabella Northc-ote, Colombo street, who was standing at the gate to her house on the night or accident, said she saw the deceased riding a bicvcle in front of the tram between the lines. She thought him foolish to ride so close to the tram. He was wearing a cap and was ruling with his head down. She saw him fall when the car struck him, the car seeming to stop dead. To Mr Down: The deceased endeavoured to turn off the at the last moment, and it appeared as though the tear would stop at the usual corner. Had it done so, she thov.ght he would have got clear. JV.lice-Sergeant McKenzie, Sydenham, expressed a similar opinion. William Thomas Crocker, who was driving a loaded dray down Colombo street about 5 p.m. on the day ot the accident, said the car was travelling too fast for a "stop" car. He saw the deceased riding a cycle on the | tram-lines. He pnsed witness. Tne bell of the car was ringing continuously. When deceased was about fifty yards south of Tennyson street, the tram struck the back wheel of his cycle. The deceased was thrown back I towards the car and wr» then thrown two or three yards to the left of the ' car, which was pulled up in half a ! Jength. "Witness said to the motorman, ff" Couldn't you see that man had had a drink?/' the motorman replying in the negative. "Damn it, man," said witness, "you had fifty yards to pull up before you hit him." The motorman made no reply to this remark. John Hay iicCaihim, sales manager, Beaumont street, said the deceased was riding his cycle unsteadily when the accident occurred. Mrs Beatrice M. Down, Cambridge terrace, said it appeared to her that the deceased was going on tlie line after coming up with the car. one thought he must have ridden into the tram.

Frank George Buckley, motorman, said he first noticed deceased riding beiiintl a timber cart. The car was immediately behind the deceased, who swerved from behind the cart, coming to the line and then off again to the left side of the road. He appeared to lurch and come on to the lelt side of the rail again, the car being then practically on top of him. The brakes were applied six feet off the man. To I\lr Down: Witness denied that deceased had ridden for more than a moment between the rails of the tr&m-line. He did not offer to pay for the damage done to the cycle after the accident.

The Coroner ordered that the cycle should be examined by an expert to determine what part of,.the back wheel had been struck, the inquest then being adjourned until 4 p.m. to-morrow.