STRUCK BY TRAM

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1933, Page 9

STRUCK BY TRAM

RELIEF WORKER'S DEATH

A verdict that the deceased died from head injuries sustained through being accidentally knocked down by a tram in Manners street on July 22, was returned by the Coroner (Mr. E. Gilbertson) at an inquest today iuto the death of John Robinson MeCook, a relief worker, who died in the Wellington Hospital on July 23.

Dr. T. Max Pemberton, noting house surgeon at the Wellington Hospital, said that when MeCook was admitted he was semi-conscious. . There was no trace ot alcohol about him. An examination showed that he had superficial abrasions to the face and a large bruise on the back of the head. About tour hours after admittance MeCook became unconscious and paralysed, and he died at 2 a.m. the next day. In witness's opinion death was due to -a fracture of the base of the skull.

James William Gibbons, manager of the Wellington City Mission, gave evidence of identification. Witness sad that McCook, who had resided at the City Mission for the past two months, was a returned soldier and was suffering from the effects of the war. He was very unsteady on his feet, and on account of his disabilities always carried a stick. As far as witness knew McG'ook was not addicted to drink.

Solomon' Reuben, who witnessed the accident, said that when McCook was struck by the tram he appeared to be between the two seta of train rails. Rain was falling at the time.

Edwin Upton, motorman of the tram, said that the tram was "cpasting" along Manners Street in a westerly direction at about seven miles an hour. When near tho corner of Herbert and Manners Streets he saw a man suddenly appear near the right-hand front corner of the tram. Witness immediately applied the brakes, but the tram struck tho man at about the same time as witness applied the brakes. The tram pulled up in about two yards, and on investigating witness found the man lying on the front lifeguard.. He was unconscious and bleeding from the forehead. The conductor of the tram held the lifeguard, and witness reversed the tram and released the man. At the time of the accident a light rain was falling, and the visibility was bad. Witness did not see the man until a moment before the tram struck him, and he did not have an opportunity .of avoiding the accident. As was his custom witness sounded the gong when passing the point where the accident occurred.

The Coroner said that the deceased was not very agile, and apparently did not notice the tram. No blame was attachable to tlie motorman of the tram. At the point whore the accident occurred the trams travelled slowly, and a more agile man could have got out of the way. i

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