STRUCK BY TRAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22833, 14 September 1937, Page 12

STRUCK BY TRAIN

SCHOOL BUS OVERTURNED PROSECUTION OF DRIVER • [from our own correspondent] ' HAMILTON, Monday A sequel to the accident which 'occurred on the Victoria Street crossing, Hamilton, recently, when a bus containing schoolchildren was struck by a train and overturned, was heard in the/Hamilton Police Court to-day. The driver of the bus, William John Winchester, was charged with failing to keep a vigilant look-out when approaching the' crossing. A plea of guilty was entered.

Senior-Sergeant G. H. Lambert said the warning bell was ringing, but the crossing-keeper 'iiad not reached y the centre of the road when the accident occurred- No one was seriously Kurt. Mr. W. J. King said 110 one in the bus heard the bill ringing. Defendant, who was a particularly competent driver, expected the crossing-keeper to be on duty. When he saw the train it was too late to pull up. The magistrate, Mr. S. L. Paterson, said he could not regard the case as otherwise than serious. A driver in charge of a public vehicle carrying children should exercise special care and 6hould 'look to see if a train was approaching, apart from listening for the '■bell. Defendant was. fined £2 and costs.