CAR STRIKES TRAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19251, 13 February 1926, Page 12

CAR STRIKES TRAM.

THE ONEHUNGA FATALITY.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

MOTOR TAKEN FROM STREET.

An inquest was held yesterday concerning the death of Leonard Charles Vincent, aged 20, who was killed when a motor-car he was driving crashed into a tramcar at Onehunga a week ago. Mr. J. K. Johnston appeared for the relatives of deceased, Mr. Mackay for the Auckland City Council, and Mr. McLiver for the owner of the motor-car.

Daniel William Lovelock, feannan, who was with Vincent in the motor-car, said he knew him only by sight, and did not know his name. On Friday, February 5, witness met him in the Thistle Hotel. They visited several hotels together, and then separated. Witness met him again in Victoria Street at about half-past eight in the evening. Vincent was by himself, and they had a pie together. Vincent then said something about a ride to Papakura or somewhere. Witness agreed, and they went up Victoria Street and got isto a car. They came down Victoria Street, went through Newmarket, and out along Manukau Road. Witness found two bottles of beer in the car, but did not know whether he himself put them there or not. Asleep at Time of Accident. He remembered crossing the Mangere Bridge and stopping somewhere for a drink. He did not remember the car turning round, and knew nothing about the accident. He thought he was asleep when it happenedIn reply to Sergeant Turner witness said he did not know whether deceased said the car was his or not. In reply to Mr. Johnston witness said he could not drive a car. At one time he sold motor accessories as assistant salesman. Mr. Johnston: Do you mean to say you were assistant salesman and never learned to drive a car?— Yes, I am very bad,with a car, so bad, in fact, that they would not teach me.

Francis McDermott, tramway mo tor man, said his tramcar left the city at 11.12 for Orehnnga. As it • was approaching a curve in the line before Cunningham's stop, he noticed a motor-car approaching at a high speed, with glaring headlights. The car took the curve too far from the left and then the crash came. The car struck the front, right corner of the tram, which was stationary by that time. Car's Speed About SO Miles.

Had the car taken the curve properly there would have been plenty of room for it to pass -the tram, The car was smashed, and, so was the front of the tram. After the accident Lovelock was dazed. He told witness he was not the driver of'the car. It was raining at the time. Witness estimated the cpeed of the motor-car at 30 miles an hour. The tram had not reached the curve when it was struck, and was going at from six • to eight miles an hour when he applied the brakes.

In reply to Mr, Johnston, witness said Lovelock was in the back seat of the car when he saw .him. He was lying full length with his feet over the side.

James William Bobinson, garage attendant employed by the Royal Bus Company/ saw he was working at the benzine pump at the garage at Onehunga. He saw 9 motor-car pass travelling at from 15 to 20 miles an hoar and it swerved to the right. One of the bus-drivers took deceased to the doctor. In reply to Mr. Johnston, witness said it was too dark to see if there were two people in the front seat. Question of Companionship.

Charles William Simpson, owner of the car which deceased was .driving, said he left it in Elliott Street, facing Victoria Street, at about 8.25. No one had authority to take it. He did not know Love lock or deceased.

At this stage Mr. Johnstcn said he could bring evidence to show that Lovejock and deceased were companions and knew each other well The coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., said that would not affect the issue. He found that deceased met his death as the result of injuriesi received through a motor-car he was driving accidentally colliding with a tram-car at Onehunga.