STRUCK BY MOTOR-CAR

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1937, Page 11

STRUCK BY MOTOR-CAR

DEATH OF OCTOGENARIAN EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. ACCIDENT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. An inquiry into the death of Benjamin Phillips, aged 82, who was kmocked down by a motor-car clriven by Colin J. Cliff while crossing Courtenay Street at the intersection of Hobson and Courtenay Streets, New Plymouth, at 5.50 p.m. on July 10 was held at New Plymouth yesterday, when the coroner, Mr. W, H. Woodward, S.M., returned a verdict that death was the result of shock following multiple severe injuries received in the collision.

He was travelling at about 20 miles an hour, said Colin John Cliff in his statement to the police. He reduced his speed to 15 miles an hour before Teaching the intersection of Courtenay and Hobson, Streets and then, seeing there v/as no traffic, began to accelerate again. He had reached a speed of 20 miles an hour when he saw a man in front of him. The man was about five yards away and side on to the car. As the left mudguard struck him he appeared to jump. Cliff was on his correct side of the road at the time but he went over to. his right before he stopped. Phillips was lying in the gutter about 20 feet from the rear of the car when he arrived at the scene of the accident, said David Prestney, engineer, New Plymouth, who was in his car, which was parked in Hobson Street about 70 or 80 feet from Courtenay Street. Prestney detailed what was done following the accident to: assist Phillips. He gave an outline of the marks on the road. There was a. light drizzling' rain at the time and visibility was bad. The electric light on the. corner did not show far because of the rain. Phillips was probably crossing when the impact took place. Presftney did not know what speed the car was travelling at as he had. not heard the car until the crash. The driver was sober. He was very upset and was taken to Mr. G. H. Dolby's house 'for a Cup of tea. Phillips' Remark. \ While. he held Phillips' head up after the aflcident Phillips remarked, "I saw the lights of the car approaching and thought I had plenty of time to cross," said Prestney. Phillips was conscious all the time, Phillips was walking on the footpath when Prestney saw him in Hobson Street before the "accident. He was lying against the left hand kierb when seen in Courtenay, Street. He did not think the skid marks wore severe enough to have beeri made by wheels locked by brakes. Wlien visibility was bad extra care by a driver was desirable. Her husband had gone out to • get a paper and when he did not return she became worried, said Cathrine Phillips, the widow. About 7 p.m. "a man came to the house and informed her that her husband had met with a slight accident. There was a . car at the gate and the driver took- her to . the hospital. Before she left the! Ko^pital she wds handed the paper and . her : hiisband's watch, which had stopped at 5.55> 'p.m. While at the hospital she saw her hiisband, who was conscious, and he said: "They have done for me this. time. He must have been going at a - of a rate. 1 just put out my foot to step up when he hit me." ?

Dcad Man's Injuries. Phillips was suffering from a compound fracture of the . right leg, fracture of the left arm, multiple bruising, fracture of the skull and probable , abdominal injuries when admitted to the hospital, said the niedical superintendent, Dr. G. F. Rich. He weakened rapidly and died within a few hours. Evidence of identification was given by. Mrs. M. E. Webber, New Plymouth, and evidence vconcerning the weather and visibility was given by G. H. Dolby.* Cliff pointed out to him the point where he had first seen Phillips and the point oi impact, said Constable J. A. Walker. Next morning he met Cliff and visited the scene of the accident. Cliff was then not sure of the actual point of impact but Constable Walker was of the opinion that he had indicated the correct position the previous night. Cliff's driving license was endorsed to wear glasses - and he assured witness that he had them on when the accident occurred. The wheel marks on the road were very faint. He could not say if the' windscreen wiper on the car* was working satisfactorily. The tyres were almost new.' The coroner, to Messrs. J.. Houston (executors of deceased) and L. M. Moss (counsel for Cliff)? "Could you think of any more evidence to determine how death occurred?" \ . Mr. Houston: "It is apparent how Mr. Phillips met his death."