CAR AND FIRE ENGINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 12

CAR AND FIRE ENGINE

MOTOItIST BEFORE COURT SEQUEL TO AN ACCIDENT DISMISSAL OF CHARGES []IV TEI/EGHAI'H —I'RKSS ASSOCIATION] " "WELLINGTON, Tuesday Charges of driving so as to hinder members of the fire brigade on their way to a fire and failing to stop during the passing of an engine on which the siren .was being sounded were preferred against Heur.v Wynne in the Police Court to-day before Mr. T. B. McNeill, S.M. The case aroso out of an accident at the intersection of Featherstori and Bunny Streets about 6 p.m. on April 18, when a fire engine swerved and skidded completely round, the ladder on the engine striking a bystander in the chest.

Another bystander, giving evidence, said he saw defendant's car slow down and stop. The driver of the engine and .Superintendent Crceke, who was riding on the engine, said they did not see the car until it was 60 or 70 feet away. At the conclusion of evidence, counsel for defendant said that witnesses for the prosecution were on a fast-moving vehicle and could not judge whether the car had stopped. There was a duty on the part of the fire engine driver toward the public generally, although there was no limit to the speed. Defendant, in evidence, said he stopped when he heard the siren and saw the fire engine, which he considered was travelling at 40 miles an hour. The magistrate said he was of opinion, that defendant stopped as soon as lie heard the siren. He considered the driver of the engine and the superintendent thought the car was still moving. The car did not stop in such a way as to hinder the approach of the fire engine. ' Both charges were dismissed.