WAIMATAITAI FATALITY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 March 1926, Page 7

WAIMATAITAI FATALITY.

PHYLLIS FARROW’S DEATH. CORONER’S VERDICT. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Pliyilis Farrow, aged four years, whose death, as a result of a collision with a motor cyclist in Evans Street, took place on March 12, was continued before the District Coroner, Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., at the Timarti Courthouse this morning. Senior-Sergeant Ealiev conducted proceedings for the police. Lucy McKenzie, residing at Evans Street, said that on March 11 she was proceeding along that road in the direction of the town, and saw deceased crossing the road just south of Thomson’s store. A young man riding a motor cycle travelling at, an ordinary rate of epeed came along. Deceased was standing in the middle of the road and when witness saw the cyclist was only a few yards from the child, witness cal led ; to deceased, who took a few steps in lier direction. The cyclist swerved at the same time, aiid striking deceased, knocked her down. Witness could not snv what side of the machine struck deceased. The cyclist pulled up with, in a few yards. Later witness saw the cyclirt standing at the gate of deceased’s residence.

Agnes Smith residing in Lnxtnoro Rond pave ooitol orat'vo evidence. Patrick O’Hagan, builder, residing at 102 Evans Street. stated that on the evening in question as he was engaged. in cutting his laWn ho heard someone scream. Ho looked around and saw a child lying on the road about 8 or 10 feet from the kerbing within a chain south of Hobbs Street. Witness picked up.the child and took her to her home. Tlio cyclist came to witness later and told him that lie was tile one who struck the child. Philip Albert Hinlv’, residing at Turnbull Street, stated that on the evening in question he was riding along Evans Street on his motor cycle, proceeding in the direction of Washdyke. Approaching Thomson’s store ho noticed some children playing on the left hand side of the road, near the water trough, and took the crown of the road to avoid them. Witness then saw deceased about four or five yards in front of him facing toward him. Thinking that she was proceeding to the left witness turned to the right. Simultaneously deceased ran to tlie right and the generator on h'S machine her on the head, knocking her down. Witnens was travelling at the rate of about twelve or fifteen miles per hour, and pulled up within about four yards. Witness kept on Ins left hand side of the road until he saw tho children, when lie took the crown of the road. Tt was just about dusk, but witness eoukl see quite clearly Witness had liis lamp alight at the time. If deceased had gone to the left lie would have avoided her. The Coroner stated that it was one of those unfortunate ‘ accidents that could not always he avoided. He could not see bow accidents of that sort could be avoided. The motor cyclist was not riding in a negligent manner and acted in a reasonable manner to avoid an accident, and he did not think he was altogether to blame. He knew himself that the children were in the halit of playing about that particular corner and also that they were prone to run across in front of traffic. A i-erdict of accidental death was returned.