SEA PLUNGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 10

SEA PLUNGE

TWO WOMEN DROWNED CAR FAILED TO STOP LONDON. September 3. Torquay local authority was strongly criticised at an inquest on two women who were drowned when a car plunged into the harbour from a quay converted into a car park. The women were Mrs Mildred Jon:s (54) and her sister. Mrs Ethel Harrington (67), both of punstone Park Road. Paignton. The coroner. Mr E. Hutchings, summing up. said the parking place was private ’property and was intended for use as a quay. “There is no statutory duty to prevent a local authority from converting I a quay into a car park,” he added, “but ‘ there is a moral duty for them - * is safe. “It is pathetic and sad to think that ordinary precautions are not taken until somebody is killed. It is perfectly safe as a harbour wharf but dangerous for a parking place where cars facj a drop . into 20ft of water. “If it were a breach of statutory duty this would be a case of nearly manslaughter.” The womens brother. Father Leo Jackson, a Catholic priest, of Anitsford Presbytery, Dudley. Northumberland, • who escaped from the car, said it was driven by Mrs Harrington, an experi- j enced driver, to the parking place facing the harbour and stopped behind other ■ cars in the quay. The engine was stopped for about 15 minutes and then the illuminations came on the pier. Cars in front obstructed their view and Mrs Hairing- ; ton said she would pull up in line with the other cars, and get a better sight sf the illuminations. “My sister pressed the self-starter ; and manipulated the gears and the ‘ car started to go forward,” said Father Jackson. “It drew level with the other cars, but did not stop, and my other sister shouted, ‘We’re going over!’ “The car did not stop but went forward actually over the edge of the quay.” At this point the coroner said he would not ask Father Jackson what happened afterwards, because he did not want him to repeat his terrible experience. Other witnesses described hew Father Jackson was rescued from the water, and the two women released from the * car after it had been raised aboce the J surface by means of grappling irons. ; The jury, returning a verdict of “Ac- 4 cidental death.” recommended that a ' barrier should be fixed wherever park- t ing was allowed in the vicinity of the harbour.