COLLISION BETWEEN CAR AND FIRE ENGINE HAS COURT SEQUEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 168, 23 July 1946, Page 7

COLLISION BETWEEN CAR AND FIRE ENGINE HAS COURT SEQUEL

Stressing the need for motorists exercising care and keeping a careful look-out for tire engines, Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., said in the Magis/rate's Court, Wanganui, yesterdaw, that the brigade always had the right of way. “It could be very serious if a fire engine was incapacitated and prevented from attending a fire,” the magistrate added. The case was one where a motorist, Edgar Llewellyn Miller, was charged with a breach of the right-hand rule, in that he failed to give way to a lire engine at (he intersection of Guyton and Campbell Streets on the night of June 29.

The brigade was responding to a false alarm received from a call box at the corner of Ingest re and Harrison Streets. While travelling along Guyton Street, however, a collision occurred with defendant’s car. The driver of the fire engine, Edward Theodore Mallasch, said that the call was received at 7.31 p.m. As the fire engine travelled along Guyton Street its siren was sounding and a red light was flashing from the front of the machine. At. the intersection with Campbell Street witness saw the lights of a car and the superintendent said “Look out!”

Witness could see the other vehicle, approaching from the left, was not going to give way. He pulled hard over to the right, but a collision occurred about the centre of the intersection, the car striking the fire engine just forward of the roar mudguard.

“Ws the siren going, because I did not hear it?” asked defendant, who had pleaded not guilty. Witness: It was certainly going, but the night was rather windy. Senior-Sergeant F. Culloty (who prosecuted): Who reached the intersection first?

Witness: We seemed to get there together.

A statement made by defendant after the accident was produced by Constable W. Adsett. Defendant stated that he did not. hear or see anything till he was right on the intersection. The car was damaged to the extent, of about £25.

“It was blowing a howling southerly gale that night,” said defendant, in evidence. He added that he heard the siren come on at full blast just rs he reached the intersection. “I wo |!d say that the Fire Brigade and myself did everything to avoid the collision,” ho added.

The magistrate: Did you not sec the red light of the fire engine thrown forward?

Defendant, replied that ne did not see it. There was a high building on the corner which obscured his view. “I am afraid that you have committed a breach of the regulations, but it may he due to your not having heard the siren,” said the magistrate. Under the regulations a fire engine must bo given the right of way, hut apart from that defenrUnt nad failed to give wav to a vehicle approaching on his right. A tine of £3, costs 10s, was imposed.