RUN OVER BY A TRAM.
A SCHOOLMASTER KILLED.
Per Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A fatal accident occurred on the tramline leading to St. Clair about 5.30 this evening, the victim being Mr. William Bennett, headmaster of the Macandrew road school. Deceased, who was cycling, was riding behind the tram, and as the car slowed down he turned on to an outer track to pass it. Unfortunately another car was coming in the opposite direction, and before Mr. Bennett could get out of the way he was knocked down with great force, receiving injuries which caused death almost instantly. He was badly cut about the face and head, and both legs were broken. Deceased, who was 62 years of age, leaves a widow and family of eight. Deceased had been headmaster at Macandrew road for twenty-five years. -Taranaki Daily News, 22/2/1908.
MR BENNETT’S DEATH.
MOTORMAN NOT TO BLAME.
Mr William Bennett, the head master of the Macandrew Road School, was killed yesterday evening through his bicycle colliding with a tram in Forbury road. The evidence given at the inquest this morning showed unmistakeably that deceased was following the practice only too common among cyclists of hugging the rear of a car. Mr Bennett was close behind a car coming from St. Clair. Just at the bend on the St. Clair side of Shiel’s quarry he seems to have conceived the idea of passing the car. Unfortunately, he did not take into account the possibility of a car approaching on the other track. A car was so approaching, and Mr Bennett had just turned to execute his manoeuvre when this car caught him and flung him lifeless to one side. In its way it was a merciful death. The first shock must have meant abolition of consciousness, even did death delay a second or two. Both legs were broken, and the head badly smashed.
Mr Bennett leaves a widow and a grown-up family of eight. He was sixty years of age, being born in Norfolk, England, in 1847. He came to New Zealand in 1879, and in 1883 was appointed head master of the Macandrew Road School, a position which he held with honor to himself and with the best results to his pupils till death overtook him yesterday. The funeral takes place at 2.30 to-morrow afternoon.
A special meeting of the Macandrew Road School Committee, called last evening to deal with their annual celebrations, resolved itself into a meeting of condolence, the sad death of the head master having happened just immediately previous. The chairman (Mr A. T. Smith) moved — “That the sincere sympathy of the Committee be conveyed to the sorrowing widow and family.” The business for which the meeting had originally been called was adjourned sine die.
THE INQUEST.
The inquest was held before Coroner Graham, Mr M. Coimick being foreman of the jury. Mr W. C. MacGregor represented the Corporation. Motorman Samuel Brettell (who was visibly affected) deposed: I was proceeding with my car to St. Clair. On the St. Clair side of Shiel’s quarry I approached another car going to Dunedin. When about threequarters past the car a cycle suddenly appeared from behind that car. I had not seen this bicycle previously, and I had just about one foot to work on. I immediately applied my magnetic brakes, but had no chance of stopping in time to prevent a collision. I drew my car up, and went back to the body. He was lying about 15ft behind the car, and the conductor and I picked him up and placed him on the rear platform. He was then evidently quite dead. We noticed an express coming from town, and we got the body on to this, the driver making for the hospital. The accident occurred about 5.22 p.m.
To Mr MacGregor: He had no power on at the time, and had rung his gong as usual.
Conductor Lamborn stated: I remember meeting the car from St. Clair, and I heard our gong rung. I had not seen any cycle behind the St. Clair tram. The first I knew of an accident was when I was thrown against the partition of the ear by the application of the brakes. Hearing a peculiar noise in the front of the car I looked out, and saw a man lying on the road. The car came to a dead stop, and I went to the man.
To Mr MacGregor: Brettell is a very careful driver, and could not possibly have pulled up quicker.
John Wright, valuer, said: I reside at St. Clair. Yesterday evening I went home by the car of which Brettell was driver. I was in the corner seat in front. As we approached Shiel's corner I saw the other car approach, and heard the gong sound on each car. Just before we cleared the other car I saw a man’s hat (I could not see his cycle) come in front of the car. At the same time something struck our car. I stood up, but could see nothing. Then I looked out, and saw the body on the road. The car was brought up in a few paces after I saw the man’s hat. It could not have been done quicker. I know the deceased well, but would not have rocognised him.
To Mr MacGregor: The other track was apparently quite clear except for the approaching car when we rounded the corner, and Mr Bennett must have been very close behind that car. The accident, in my opinion, was quite unavoidable.
Charles Francis Alexander, general manager of the Corporation Tramways, said that Brettell, the driver, had been known to him since June, 1906, and he was a first-class driver and most careful. Witness had never had to give him the slightest caution. From his experience, he understood just how the accident must have occurred, and it would have been quite impossible to avoid the collision.
Thomas E. Bennett, draper, stated that his father had been a skilled cyclist.
The Coroner said that it was quite evident that no blame was attachable to anyone. It was frequently commented on in the papers that this practice of riding close behind a car was very dangerous, because if the car came to a standstill suddenly and the rider swerved to avoid it he was quite likely to run into a car coming down the other track. This sad affair should prove a warning.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed by collision with a car, and that no blame could be attached to anyone. -Evening Star, 22/2/1908.
Late Advertisements
MACANDREW ROAD SCHOOL.
OUT OF RESPECT for the Memory of our late Head Master, Mr William Bennett, whose untimely death is deeply regretted, this School will be CLOSED on MONDAY Next, the 24th instant.
GEO. C. BAKER, Secretary. -Evening Star, 22/2/1908.
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