FIRE ENGINE'S SKID

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 120, 24 May 1933, Page 7

FIRE ENGINE'S SKID

' PEDESTRIAN IIiJURED

MOTORIST CHARGED

, The sequel to a recent incident in Featherston Street, fallen a fife engine '. skidded near the intersection of Bunny ' Street and struck- a., pedestrian, i was. .heard at the Magistrate's Court yes--1 terday afternoon, when a motorist, • Henry J. Wynne, was charged before j Mr. T. B. McNeil, S.M., with driving so as to hinder members, of the Fire Brigade on the way to a. fire, and with failing to stop during the passing of a fire engine, the syren of which, was being' sounded. The charges were laid under the Motor Vehicles Regulations, and the defendant, who was represented by Mr. P. H.1 Putnam, pleaded not guilty." : '.;•' ■'■■ Some time "before 6 o'clock on the evening' of- April 18, said SeniorSergeant Dempsey, a call was received at the- Central Fire Station: to a fire at Kahyarra.: Two engines were . dispatched and: they proceeded from the city via Featherston Street, where tho defendant had his car parked. It was facing in a southerly direction', aild was on its correct side of the road, Tho defendant intended to proceed along Bunny Street in the direction of Lambton Quay. When the leading fire' engine was about 100 feet away the defendant attempted to cross in front of , it.. Tho driver of tho fire engine applied his brakes and swung to his left. The engine then went into a skid, and tho tail swung '-round. Unfortunately some part of tho engine or its equip : went camo in contact with a man, who would not bo called to give evidence as he was still in hospital. ' ' ■ The driver of the fire engine, Kicharfl ; Wiekenden, said that at the time of the mishap his engine was travelling •' at about 30 miles per hour. The syren ' had been sounded since leaving the ■ station and could be heard a cbhsider- ■ able distance away. If he had not ' swerved he would have struck the car broadside on. ■ The fire engine turned ,' completely round. • Mr. Putnam: Are you aware that the fire engine left a skid of 100 feet?— ' Yes; -. ■ ■■■■■ •■• - And you still say that you were • travelling at only 30 miles per iour?— ■ Yes. ' - • •.►',■...-■.-. After further evidence .had been . heard the case was adjourned until Tuesday. '