FIRE ENGINE SMASH

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14584, 5 February 1921, Page 4

FIRE ENGINE SMASH

FURTHER EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

The inquest on Firemen George Prince and Albert Graham, which opened at Hamilton yesterday, and of which details are published on another page, was resumed before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., at the Hamilton. Courthouse this morning.

Ishmael Wright St. Clair, after detailing the journey from Boundary Road to the top of. School Gully, said that as the engine passed over the brow of the hill he noticed the lorry some distance down. Sitting on the back, willi his face towards the engine, was a man, while another was standing on the lorry, holding on to the back of the cab. The man sitting on the back did not appear to evince any alarm, but as the engine descended, with the horn sounding loudly and the firemen shouting, witness noticed the man at the back of the cab turn towards the engine and > then bend forward as though to warn the driver of the engine's approach. Witness could not see the driver of the lorry. As the engine approached the lorry within about half a chain, he noticed Driver Tuckey making for the right, although there was plenty of room on the left. He did not think the engine diminished speed going down the hill. The engine made a gradual swerve towards the gutter when about 15ft from the lorry, in order to "make" the space between the lorry and the bank. "He saw Tuckey reach for his hand-brake just as the two vehicles came abreast, and witness stepped up from the bottom step of the engine, as he felt he might be jambed between ftie engine and .the lorry. The next moment he felt the engine gripping the bank on the right, and there was a bucking movement as she mounted the bank, fie could see that an accident was inevitable, and just before the engine toppled, he jumped down on to the road, and rolled for about a chain. As he fell he saw the engine in midair, with men falling beneath it.

Replying to Mr Mac Diarmid, witness said that Fireman Dickey was employed doing nothing else but blowing the horn, which was very distinct and particularly loud. He could recognise the sound anywhere. He considered that Tuckcy did the right thing in making for the space on the right. „ *.. Answering Mr Northcroft, said that as the engine approached the lorry he distinctly saw the man standing at the back of the cab turn hie face towards the engine and then motion to the driver as though warning him of the approaching engine. It was not unlikely that, as U}e lorry was loaded with furniture and band instruments, the clatter of these as they bumped about, might have deadened other sounds. While the motor horn had a tone of its own and a far throwing sound, and witness could rccoprnisc it anywhere, it was quite possible that there were many people who would not know the S °The enquiry was at this staga adjourned until next Friday.