FATAL SMASH

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1932, Page 11

FATAL SMASH

TAXIS IN COLLISION

FORMAL INQUEST HELD

All evidence of negligence or contributory negligence was excluded at "an inquest to-day into the death of Mrs. Cecilia Jane Elliott,' aged 59; who died at Wellington Hospital on 23rd December after being injured in a taxi smash at the intersection of Daniell and Constable streets two . days before. In restricting the amount of evidence, the Coroner, Mr. T. B. McNeil, said that all he wanted to find was how, when, and where the deceased had mot her death. In his opinion possible evidence of negligence might prejudice parties .in any subsequent proceedings. His formal finding was that the deceased had died from shock followed by injuries as tho result of a collision between two taxis driven by Edward Henry Leech and George Edward Harper.

Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist to the Wellington Hospital, who made a postmortem examination of the deceased, said that the injuries had been caused either by her falling on tho road' or being violently thrown about in:'the car.

A daughter of tho deceased, Miss Eveline Hope Elliott, said that on the evening of 21st December she and her mother had been attending a: children's party at M,elrose. They left the house about 11.40 p.m., and witness and two children got into the front seat of a taxi. Her mother and some other people got into the back scat. When they were going along Daniell street in the direction of Constable street there was a terrific crash at the intersection. Witness could not say exactly what had happened.

After the accident her mother managed to get out of the car and sat on, the running board. Later Mrs. Elliott was taken to Mrs. Christsen's house and then to her own home and put to bed. Her mother had said she was hurt, and when her condition had not improved -the following day witness called Dr. Shirer. ■ When the 4 d6etbr saw Mrs. Elliott he suggested that she should go to the Hospital, but she did not wish to go, and stayed home that day. Dr.' Shirer could not examine her completely as she' could not ■ bear him to touch her. "' During' the Afternoon witness saw that her mother was worse and again called Dr. Shirer, who ar; rived at 9 p.m.. As a result of 'this visit she was removed to .Hospital, where she died at 5 a.m. the following day. Prior to the accident her mother had enjoyed good health and had been engaged in her usual occupation as caretaker of the Children's Playground in Riddiford street.

Henry Christsen,. said ho was in the back seat of the car sitting next to the deceased. After the impact.the driver of their taxi, Mr. Leech; asked if anyone had been hurt, and witness said "No." Mrs. Elliott told witness that she had- had a knock on the left side, but did not think it was much. "When witness had assisted the deceased, to his home he offered to get a doctor, but Mrs. Elliott did not want one. She said that she would be all right, in the morning as she was just bruised. . She was then taken to her own home in a taxi. •

Gilespio Iluine Edwards, a ship's officer, said he was walking, on.the. footpath on the southern side of Constable street when he saw the collision between the two vehicles. Just before the impact the car which was proceeding up Constable street swerved or turned to the left. ;

The Coroner then said that.ho had heard sufficient evidence for him "to make his; finding, arid it would' net be necessary s to -hear the evidence of the two drivers. '.'.."'.: ~.'..'..'."'.".." ..-...- :