SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 68

SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT.

JUJS DRIVER CHARGED. NEGLIGENT DRIVING ALLEGED. AUCKLAND, July 12. A motor bus accident on the Manukau road early on the morning of May 17, when one of the Royal Motor Bus Company’s buses crashed into a pole, had a sequel in the Police Court, when the driver, Alfred Hegh (Mr Finlay), was charged with negligently driving the bus, thereby causing the death cf Lorine Taylor, a passenger. The inauest was held in conjunction with the hearing of the charge. In a statement made to Constable White the accused said the bus, which was in the second gear and going at a speed of from 15 to 20 miles an hour was about 3ft from the footpath on the left side of the road. The interior of the bus was becoming very warm, and defendant decided to push up the windscreen immediately in front of him. The windscreen was stiff, and in trying to push it up with his left hand he must have swerved the bus over to the left, for immediately the left hand side of the bus collided with a tram pole on the edge of the pavement. Accused applied the brakes and pulled up within 15 yards. He had a full load of passengers, but none of them obstructed his view. Evidence was given by Thomas Cunningham, who was standing near the entrance of the bus when the accident happened. He estimated the speed of the bus at about 22 miles an hour. The bus hit the kerb twice and then the pole. In reply to Mr Finlay witness said the speed of the bus was not excessive. There was nothing to indicate that there would be an aocident until the bus hit the pole. When the evidence for the prosecution was completed. Mr Finlay said he thought the case should be dealt with summarily. The Magistrate: I do not see why the case should ©o to the Supreme Court with all the expense. At this stage the court adjourned for half an hour to allow the sergeant to consult the inspector. On resuming Sergeant Calwell said that after a conference with the police officers it had been decided that the case was serious, and that it came within the scope of the section under whioh it was laid. Aooused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in two securities of £IOO each. The decision of the coroner • regarding the inquest was that death was caused through a fractured skull, sustained through falling out of a bus when it collided with a pole.