LORRY DRIVER FINED.

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1926, Page 2

LORRY DRIVER FINED.

Failing to Stop. AT RAILWAY "CROSSING. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning Louis O’Neil was charo-ed with failing to stop a motor lorry, Which lie was driving, before coming in contact -with the railway line near the Cobden Bridge, on August 31st. The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence. Air F. A. Kitchingham who appeared for tho Railway Department, stated that the defendant was the driver of tho Grey County Council’s lorry and was coming from. Cobden to Greymouth with a load of shingle. The Vehicle was struck by a train coming from Runanga. The defendant admitted that he did not stop tyut at the same time both the driver and the fireman of the engine said he was travclling very slowly down the slope to the line and they thought he was going to stop. However he did not do so, but proceeded over the line -with a result the train smashed the rear wheels of tho lorry. The defendant and his mate had stated that they did not hear the Whistle, hut there was no doubt that it, was blown. Had the defendant stopped, the accident would not have happened.

Tho defendant stated that at the time he was watching a train coming from the wharf. He was going on to Omoto and he could not travel very fast in. turning from the bridge into tho road. One had to be particularly careful in this connection, said the Magistrate, Mr AV. Meldrum, S.M. The onus was thrown upon those who were using the road. Under the regulations' the train took precedence. Fie was satisfied (hat the defendant' did not cross on purpose and imposed a. nominal fine 01 '5/-. The costs amounted to 7/- and solicitor’s fee £3 3/-»