FATAL ACCIDENT

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 68, 18 September 1917, Page 8

FATAL ACCIDENT

THE MOLESWORTH-STREET OCCUR- , RENCE.

The inquest concerning tho death of George Ohallis, aged 5£ years, who died from injuries received through being knocked down by a motor-car in Moles-worth-street on Friday last,, was continued before the Coroner, Mr. S: E. M'Carthy, jS.M., yesterday. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for the parents of the child, Mr. A. Gi-ay, K.C., for Percy Withers (driver of the car), and Mr. G. G. G. Watson for the owner of the car, Mr. Walter Johnston.

Percy Withers was briefly cross-exam-ined by Mr. O'Leary. He said he was engaged at the time of the accident on Mr. Johnston's business, which did not necessitate urgency. When travelling at eighteen miles an hour he could pull up his car in about 15 to 20 yards. Tho accident could have been avoided if the child had kept on going across the road, but witness was misled by the child's action. Under the circumstanceß, witness thought he liad done everything to avoid the mishap. To Mr. Gray: Witness was sure thai the child heard the horn sound. At the Hospital witness was assured by the doctor that the child would be all right, but at 7 o'clock the same evening he was told that the child's condition was serious. He was present when the child died. Witness added that ho had been driving motor-cars for a,number of years in New Zealand and Australia, and this was the first accident he had experienced. Evidence was given by Richard Douglas Hanlonj chemist, who attended the child in his pharmacy, and Christopher George Challis, deceased's father, who is a returned soldier. The latter stated that the boy was 5£ years of age, and on the day of the accident had been sent a message to the butcher's. The enquiry was adjourned till to-mor-row morning.