SAD FATALITY.
LITTLE GIRL’S DEATH.
A very sad accident, attended with fatal results, occurred near the Waimataitai store at about five o'clock on Thursday afternoon. A little girl, named Phyllis Farrow, aged four years, residing near the Wamiataitai store was knocked down by a motor cyclist while crossing the road, and sustained severe injuries, consisting of a fractured skull and a broken thigh.
After being attended by F. F. A. Ulrich at her own home, the little girl was removed to the Timaru Hospital, where unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries sbortlv after four o'clock yesterday afternoon.
An inquest will be held before the district Coroner this morning. -Timaru Herald, 13/3/1926.
WAIMATAITAI FATALITY.
PHYLLIS FARROW’S DEATH.
CORONER’S VERDICT.
The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Phyllis Farrow, aged four years, whose death, as a result of a collision with a motor cyclist in Evans Street, took place on March 12, was continued before the District Coroner, Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., at the Timaru Courthouse this morning.
Senior-Sergeant Fahey conducted proceedings for the police.
Lucy McKenzie, residing at Evans Street, said that on March 11 she was proceeding along that road in the direction of the town, and saw deceased crossing the road just south of Thomson’s store. A young man riding a motor cycle travelling at an ordinary rate of speed came along. Deceased was standing in the middle of the road and when witness saw the cyclist was only a few yards from the child, witness called to deceased, who took a few steps in her direction. The cyclist swerved at the same time, and striking deceased, knocked her down. Witness could not snv what side of the machine struck deceased. The cyclist pulled up with, in a few yards. Later witness saw the cyclirt standing at the gate of deceased’s residence.
Agnes Smith residing in Luxmore Road gave corroborative evidence.
Patrick O’Hagan, builder, residing at 102 Evans Street, stated that on the evening in question as he was engaged in cutting his lawn. He heard someone scream. He looked around and saw a child lying on the road about 8 or 10 feet from the kerbing within a chain south of Hobbs Street. Witness picked up the child and took her to her home. The cyclist came to witness later and told him that he was the one who struck the child.
Philip Albert Hinks, residing at Turnbull Street, stated that on the evening in question he was riding along Evans Street on his motor cycle, proceeding in the direction of Washdyke. Approaching Thomson’s store he noticed some children playing on the left hand side of the road, near the water trough, and took the crown of the road to avoid them. Witness then saw deceased about four or five yards in front of him facing toward him. Thinking that she was proceeding to the left witness turned to the right. Simultaneously deceased ran to the right and the generator on his machine hit her on the head, knocking her down. Witness was travelling at the rate of about twelve or fifteen miles per hour, and pulled up within about four yards. Witness kept on the left hand side of the road until he saw the children, when he took the crown of the road. It was just about dusk, but witness could see quite clearly. Witness had his lamp alight at the time. If deceased had gone to the left he would have avoided her.
The Coroner stated that it was one of those unfortunate accidents that could not always he avoided. He could not see how accidents of that sort could be avoided. The motor cyclist was not riding in a negligent manner and acted in a reasonable manner to avoid an accident, and he did not think he was altogether to blame. He knew himself that the children were in the habit of playing about that particular corner and also that they were prone to run across in front of traffic. A verdict of accidental death was returned. -Timaru Herald, 30/3/1926.
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