FALL FROM TRAMCAR

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12391, 10 March 1926, Page 6

FALL FROM TRAMCAR

OVER THE SAFETY-BAR ELDERLY MAN SUCCUMBS TO INJURISE CORONER’S INQUIRY OPENS The coroner’s inquiry concerning the death of Alfred Haynes Sargent, ag;ed 70, who died as the result of injuries received from a fall from a tramcar, was opened before Mr E. Page, S.M., yesterday afternoon. James Wilfred Fyfe, conductor of the tramcar, stated that at 9.15 p.m. on tlio evening of March 3rd the car left the Midland Hotel for Brooklyn. “Before giving the signal for the car to start from the ‘Evening Post’ I happened to notice the old gentleman getting on at the rear platform,” stated witness. “He went and stood on' the back platform of the car as far as I could see. . “After giving the signal for the car to start I collected two fares, and came out on to the rear platform, and as I got through tho door and turned round I noticed the old gentleman falling backwards. I put out my hand and tried to save him, but missed him. He fell over the top of the bar, and as he went over it his feet kicked the bar up in the air. The bar was in its proper place. The deceased was unconscious when I picked him up off the ground.” SERIOUS INJURIES Richard Bowden Martin, medical practitioner attached to the Wellington Hospital, stated that the deceased was admitted to the hospital on the evening of March 2nd, suffering from concussion. He became unconscious from which he did not recover. He died on March 6th without recovering consciousness from brain injury. Jane Davidson Beattie, elder daughter of the deoeased, stated that he had teen working on the evening of the accident until 10 o’clock tallying a ship. He was in the habit of going' to tho city daily by tram. To Mr Levi: My mother was not informed of the accident until 10 or 11 a.m. the following morning. She is very frail, and at present is receiving treatment from the doctor for her heart.

Sergeant Scott stated that it was always the practice of the police to notify tho nearest relations in the case of an accident as soon as possible. At this stage the inquest was adjourned until 9.15 a'.m. this morning.