THE KAIKORAI FATALITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 15

THE KAIKORAI FATALITY.

The inquest concerning the circumstances Connected with the death of Frederick John Punlop Sibbdd, who lost his life through being run over by a cablo car at Kaikorai recently, was resumed by Mr J. R. Bartholomew S.M., on the 20th instant at the Law Courts. Mr Payne appeared for the Roslyn Tramway Company, Mr Aspinall for the widow, and Sub-inspector Mathieson for the police. Evidence was given by Dr Evans, Oliver ©. Charteris (a echoolboy, who saw the man under the influence of liquor come into the S'aiting shed), May Gordon Blackwood and 9T husband (passengers on the car), Charles genry Smith (gripman), Albert Charles ey (conductor), and Constable Kelly. The Coroner said that the evidence of the conductor and gripman was borno out directly by that of Mr and Mrs < Black,Wood, and showed that the position imtnediately before the accident was that this unfortunate man was on his hands and jtnees in a posture of creeping up the hill fct an angle towards the line on which the oar was descending. His attitude was exirJaincd by the other evidence, which showed that he was the worse of liquor. Immediately ho was observed by the conductor, eripman, and others, all steps were taken fo pull up. The gripman was driving with proper care and skill, and took all possible steps to avert the accident, applying all brakes, including the emergency. No blame was attachable to anyone. The formal verdict- would bo "that death was due to injuries received through being accidentally run over by a cable car on September 13."