ACCIDENT AT A RAILWAY CROSSING

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 2

ACCIDENT AT A RAILWAY CROSSING

CHARGE OP MANSLAUGHTER

FAILS.

(BI IBLEaEAPH.—PRESS. ASSOCUTIOjO ■ PALMERSTON N;, 16th August. \ At the Supreme Court to-day, before i the Chief Justice, Thomas Stanley Madge | appeared on a charge of manslaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy, who were killed i ■is a result of a railway accident-ab: Taonui railway crossing, in which a train and a motor-car driven by Madge camej into collision, and two passengers in the! ear met their deaths. Mr. J. D. Evans, one of the paa<, sengers, said he considered that Madge! was a most careful driver. If he had not I been so careful the accident might not:' have happened. If he had been going i faster he would have got over the line \ before the engine. He did not hear the" whistle. The driver and fireman of the express j which came into collision with the car gave evidence as to the blowing of the whistle and the pulling up of the train. The defence contended that Madge had taken every precaution. He had not heard the whistle, and had looked back three chains away from the crossing. ■ Further evidence was given as tc> Madge's good character and carefulness as a car driver. ' His Honour said the jury had to find whether accused had taken reasoanble precaution and care. There was no suggestion that accused acted wilfully. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and. accused was discharged.