TOWN BRIDGE ACCIDENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 295, 15 December 1942, Page 3

TOWN BRIDGE ACCIDENT

TRUCK DRIVER CHARGED “It is quite clear that defendant, no doubt faced with unusual circumstances, did not keep a proper lookout,” said Mr. J. H. Salmon. S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when imposing a fine ot £5, with costs amounting to £1 3s 2d, on James Kench. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. H. M. Keesing, pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention on the Town Bridge on November 3. Phillip Bayliss, 103 Ingestre Street, said he was employed by the Wanganui City Council at the time. With two other men he was engaged in patching the surface of the Town Bridge. One of the workmen, Joseph Dowdell, was walking ahead of the council truck, which was moving very slowly. Defendant drove past the truck at a speed estimated at 20 to 25 miles an hour. A boy on a cycle was 'coming from the opposite direction ' and when Kench swerved to his left ; to avoid the boy, Dowdell was struck by the mudguard of defendant’s truck. Dowdell was knocked down and taken to hospital. Kench said that when he saw the council lorry on the bridge he noticed j the cyclist approaching and swerved ito avoid him. In doing so, defendant ' added, he struck Dowdell, who was on Ihe centre of the bridge. Kench said he did not see Dowdell till his truck • struck him.