ENGINE CREW ACQUITTED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 10

ENGINE CREW ACQUITTED

RAILWAY COLLISION CHARGES (P.A.) AUCKLAND. November 19. The retrial of the driver and fireman of an engine that was involved in a railway collision near the overbridge at Parnell on September 3, resulted in the acquittal of both men on all counts. The trial was conducted by the Chief Justice (Sir Humphrey O’Leary). The accused were William James Wilde, engine-driver, aged 41, and Henry Richard Steel, fireman, aged 20. They were jointly charged with causing bodily harm to a passenger in such circumstances that if his death had resulted they would have been guilty of manslaughter. Each of them was also separately charged with culpable neglect of duty by wilfully failing to observe a red danger signal.

After a retirement of two hours, the jury brought »n its verdict of not guilty. It added recommendations that regulations be enforced: (a) that drivers do not fire on “special workings" and (b) OTat all firemen be fully competent before receiving a certificate to do footplate duty. His Honour discharged the accused and said the recommendations would be for- I warded to the proper authority.