“Danger To Children”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 18

“Danger To Children”

fNZ. Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 27. The Coroner (Mr A. D. Copeland) today advised local bodies to consider restraining ice-cream vans from trading in the streets.

“These vehicles travel through housing areas with chimes playing to attract little children out on to the street,” he said. He heard evidence at an inquest into the death of Noelene Dickie, aged three, who was killed when she ran out from behind a “Mr Whippy" ice-cream van in Shoreham

street Avondale, and was knocked down by a passing car.

Wendy Mary Drum, married, of 69 Shoreham street Avondale, said she was driving along Shoreham street at about 4 p.m. on May 23. Mrs Drum said an ice-cream van was parked at the side of the street facing her. A little girl ran from behind the van out into the road and was struck by Mrs Drum’s car. In a statement Elizabeth Bernadette Dickie, of 50 Shoreham street, the mother of the dead child, said she had sent her five-year-old daughter, Michelle, out to buy icecreams from the van. Noelene had not been supposed to

to go out on the street, but had followed her sister. Donald Lance Till, the driver of the van, said he had parked the van outside 60 Shoreham street He served two children and, as was his custom, warned them to be careful crossing the road. As he was serving other children he heard a thump and the screech of brakes. He saw the driver of the car stop, get out and pick up the child. The Coroner found the child died at Auckland Hospital on May 23 from multiple injuries received in the accident He said the child's death was no reflection on the driver of the car that knocked her down.