ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19147, 15 April 1924, Page 12

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

FATAL FALL FROM A TRAMCAR. VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH. 'The adjourned inquest concerning the death of George Parsons Miller was held at the Courthouse yesterday. Mr J. RBartholomew, S.M., acted as coroner, Sergeant Gilligan represented the police, and Mr 11. K. Barrowclouglt appeared for the Tramways Department of the City Corporation. The deceased, who was 69 years of ago, fell off a moving tramcar at the foot of Gladstone road on March 23. and died at the Hospital on April 1 as the result of injuries received Eric Baverstock Osborne, electrician, said he was a passenger by the car from the Fountain on the day of the accident— March 23. He was accompanied by hit wife and the deceased, who was his father-in-law. There was a number of people on the car. When he got off the car at the Gardens he looked round to see where the deceased was. and saw him being picked up. He had him carrier! into Gallien’s chemist shop. He complained of pain in one of his thighs. He was removed to his homo in a taxi. Dr Strain was called in and the injured man was ordered to the Hospital. Deceased told witness that ho reft the car before it came to a standstill He did not say anything about being pushed off hut complained of a slight jolt. Ho said he saw others leaving the car. Deceased was slightly dull of hearing. To Mr Barrowclough: The tramcar was travelling at a slow pace when the deceased fell off. The jolt was nothing unusual. Frank Turnbull, maltster, said ho was on the Main North road near the foot of Gladstone road on the day of the accident. Ho was about 70 or 80 yards distant from the car when it stopped at. the Gardens. Ho noticed a man fall from the car before it stopped. He seemed to fall from the centre of the cur with his full weight or, one of his hips. When in the chemist’s shop witness asked deceased why ho left the car when it was moving, and ho replied that he thought the car was not going to stop, so he jumped off. He appeared to bo facing the direction the cur was going when ho jumped off. The Coroner said that there was no direct evidence as to the manner in which the accident actually happened. No one appeared to see him leave the tramcar. lie thought, however, that deceased’s own statement made it reasonably clear as to how the accident occurred. Deceased must either have stepped or jumped off the car. For a man of deceased’s years the injury was a serious one. The ear was going slow, but deceased’s inactivity doubtless contributed to the accident. It was quite clear that there was no negligence on the part of anyone. His verdict would be that deceased died of heart failure, aggravated by congestion of the lungs and pleurisy, induced by a fracture of a hip hone, which was caused by deceased falling while alighting from n moving tramcar at the Gardens on March 23. YOUNG MAN DROWNED. GALLANT RESCUE EFFORTS FAIL. (Per United P.ress Association.) WAIHI, April 14. A sequel to the accidental drowning of Christina K. Poole, a girl aged 12 years, in the Ohinemuri River on April 8 was furnished on Saturday afternoon, when Harry Morris, aged 23, while assisting to search the flooded river for the body, was drowned. The evidence at the inquest showed that the party on the raft, including deceased, having learned that the body of the girl had been found, tried to get the raft ashore, but failed, owing to (he strong cur rent. Deceased volunteered to swim to (lie hank with a rope attached to his hodv The current caught the rope, and the men on the raft, had to let it go, as the rope dragged the deceased under. A gallant attempt at rescue was made by a man named MT.ood. Three times he caught hold of deceased, but could not keep his grip. The body was recovered 45 minutes later. STRUCK BY BALE OF WOOL. (Per United P.ress Association.) GISBORNE, April 14. W. Price, a freezing works employee, was severely injured whilst working in the hold of the steamer Maitnoa at. Tokomaru Bay last evening. A bale of wool slipped off the hook when being slung on hoard, and fell into file bold, striking Price and severely injuring his spine. MOTOR CAR FATALITIES. (Per United Press Association.) WATPAWA, April 14. G. Y. Olliver, a retired farmer living at Otane. was killed while motoring to Patangnla (his morning. The car when ascending a steep hill suddenly swerved. It foil over a high bank. Mrs Olliver suffered a broken leg and severe internal injuries. (From Ovrn Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI. April u. In connection with the recent death of Mr Howard C. .1. Wilson, who was killed at Pudki by a motor car, an inquest was held to-day. The evidence showed that (he car was travelling at the rate of about 30 miles an hour. The driver had rounded the worst part of the bend just as he was going on to the straight portion the car seemed to get out of control and the steering became stiff. Before ho knew where he was he was in a ditch. The car received a bump and witness remembered no more until ho was in hospital. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met his death by a motor car accident, which was caused hy a temporary derangement, of the steering gear of the car in which lie was being driven. No blame was attachable, to the driver.