FATAL ACCIDENT.
A lad accident, attended with fatal consequences, happened last night about halfpast eight to a young man named Paul Crawford Drew. He left his home in Cumberland street, between Albany and Frederick streets, shortly after seven o'clock to patronise a concert at the North-east Valley, being accompanied by a friend named Searle. On arrival at the hall it was ascertained that the concert was not to take place, and Drew returned to town in car No. 202, which reached the corner of Albany and King streets about half-past eight. The car stopped at that point to allow several passengers to alight, among them being three friends of Drew who, on getting out, asked him if he was not going to accompany them. He replied that he was not, and added that he was going on to Frederick street, but he must have changed his mind immediately afterwards, for as soon as the car had again started he rose from his seat, and, wishing good evening to some friends, went out on the platform. He passed behind three or four passengers who were standing there, and made an attempt to jump off the tram while it was in motion, but he either slipped or was caught in the rail by the cape of his overcoat and fell under the car, the front wheel of which passed over his body. The car was at once pulled up, and the driver — a young man named Alfred Hudson — on leaving the platform found Drew lying between the two side wheels. Sergeant O'Neill, who was at the King street Police Station, was at once informed of the accident, and arrived on the spot a few minutes after the mishap occurred. The car was raised and the body was lifted out from underneath and conveyed by the sergeant, Constable Stewart, and several passengers to the hospital, where it was examined by Dr Copland, who pronounced life to be extinct. It was evident that the wheel had passed over the body. On the left side of the chest there was a wound of about 6in in length, from which the heart was protruding, and at the back there was another severe wound; while there were serious internal injuries. Several ribs were broken on both sides. Dr Copland is of opinion that death was instantaneous. Deceased was thirty years of age, a painter by occupation, and a single man, but was shortly to have been married. His father, who was an old resident, died a few months ago.
THE INQUEST.
An Inquest on the body was held at the hospital at two o'clock this afternoon before Mr Coronet Carew and a jury, Mr Henry W. Brindell being chosen foreman of the Jury. Mr W. A. Stout appeared on behalf of the deceased's family, and Mr D.D. Macdonald for Messrs Imrie and McEwen and Co., haulage contractors for the Tramway Company.
George Drew, painter, of Roslyn, identified the body as that of his brother, who was born in Glasgow. Deceased had been twenty-eight years in the colony, was a painter by occupation, and was a single man. He was thirty years of age.
Thomas Searle, of Castle street, in the employ of the Singer Machine Company, said he knew the deceased. Witness was in his company last night, and left his house with him and two other gentlemen about a quarter-past seven to go to a concert in the North-east Valley Baptist Church. They found however, that it had been postponed, and returned by the next car. They changed cars at the Gardens, and arrived at the corner of Albany and King streets, where the car stopped. That was opposite the post office, and two of the party got out, witness and the deceased remaining inside. Deceased also intended to get out, and rose and shook hands with some of his friends, and then went out on the front platform just as the car started. The car had rounded the curve by that time. Witness thought it had gone off the line, and got out at the rear and crossed King street. He met Mr Wilkinson, one of the party, who told him there was someone under the car and that he thought it was Paul Drew. Witness went back to the car and saw Drew lying between the front and near wheel on the chemist's shop side of the road. The front wheel appeared to have gone over him. It was the wheel passing over the man that made witness think the car had gone off the line. The tram was not crowded. Witness knew the deceased to be an active man. At the time of the accident he wore an overcoat with a cape. The car was travelling at an ordinary pace. Deceased was quite sober.
To Mr Stout: Witness was in Drew's company from a quarter to seven until half-past eight, when the accident happened. The car appeared to be going in a very even manner, but witness did not see the horses. Deceased was a smart and nimble man. Deceased went to the door to leave just as the car commenced to take the turn.
To Mr Macdonald: The car stopped in the usual way and there was ample time given for anyone to get out. Deceased was shaking hands with some of the party — eight in number — and in bidding his friends good-bye some of the waiting time was consumed. The car was not hurried away. Deceased seemed to take rather a long time in shaking hands.
Henry Wilkinson, wood-carver, residing in Hanover street, knew the deceased, with whom he was in company last night. When the car stopped at Albany street a lady and gentleman got out, and deceased also rose to leave. Witness was the last person to whom deceased spoke. Witness said "You're rather late in getting out," and deceased replied : Oh, I'll jump out." The car had started by that time. Witness saw deceased go out on to the front platform. Shortly afterwards the car gave a jerk as if it had gone off the line, and some of the party left it with the intention of walking along to Frederick street. The car stopped, and witness got out to see what was the matter. Someone said there was a man under the car, and witness, thinking it might be Drew, called to Searle, and they both returned to the car under which they saw deceased lying, his body being beneath the car. Part of his clothes were caught in the front wheel, and the car had to be lifted before the body could be removed.
To Mr Macdonald: The car stopped just the usual time at Albany street, and started slowly again. When the jerk occurred everybody got out.
To the Coroner: It was a wet night, and the car would be slippery.
Henry George Dowse, saddler, residing at Opoho, deposed that he did not know the deceased. Witness was on the front platform of the car last night when it started from Albany street. It had stopped about three minutes — a longer time than usual — and witness thought it was waiting for some people to get in. After the bell had rung and the car started, witness saw deceased inside shaking hands with some of his friends. As the car was going round the curve into Albany street the driver blew his whistle, and warned witness to hold on. Just at that Juncture Mr Drew came out on to the platform, and witness and another gentleman moved forward to let him pass. He made for the step, and witness did not see him again. Almost immediately afterwards the car gave a jerk, and the driver said to witness that his axle had broken. He stopped the car at once and witness jumped off on the Captain Cook Hotel side of the car, the driver alighting on the other side. The latter sang out that he had run over a man.
To Mr Macdonald: The car went round the curve at a walking pace.
James Leighton, grocer in Dundas street, was on the front platform of the car last night. He had heard the evidence of the last witness, and there was nothing in it with which witness disagreed. Witness saw the deceased get down on the step, but saw nothing more of him. Witness noticed no jerk.
To Mr Macdonald: Deceased was facing straight out when witness last saw him. Even if he had gone straight off from the car the speed at which the car was travelling was not sufficient to cause him to fall. Witness thought deceased's coat must have caught on the car.
After further evidence the Jury returned a verdict Of "Accidentally killed," and attached no blame to anyone. -Evening Star, 21/10/1891.
THE TRAMCAR FATALITY.
At the inquest on Paul Crawford Drew yesterday afternoon the following evidence was given at too late an hour for insertion in our last night's issue:
Donald Cumming, messenger in the Bank of New Zealand, gave evidence that he was on the front part of the car coming into town on the night in question. He saw deceased standing on the step, and was holding on to the rails on each side of him, and that was all witness saw. Deceased was facing witness, and he might have been drawn under the car after he jumped off.
James Leighton (recalled) said that deceased was facing outwards when he saw him.
Alfred Hudson, tram driver, said that on the evening in question he drove the car that left the Gardens at 8.22 p.m. Witness knew the deceased, but did not see him on the car that night. The accident occurred just after the earner was turned. Sergeant O'Neill was on the spot in a moment, and superintended the extrication of the body.
To Mr Macdonald: Witness did not notice how the deceased was lying. Witness had been driving for the company for about nine years. He had never had an accident before.
To Mr Stout: The car went round the corner smoothly.
To the jury: The hand-rails and steps were in good order.
To the Coroner: It was dangerous to get off the front part of the car at any time.
Edward Scott, tram conductor, said the body was lying on its back underneath the car. Witness had been on the cars three years and nine months, and had never had an accident before.
Sergeant O'Neill said that after the body was taken out from under the car, he saw that the left portion of the vest worn by deceased was torn off. There was a strong hair guard attached to the watch, and the guard was broken. The guard might have caught in something, and it would have taken great force to break it.
Dr Copland stated that the body of the deceased was brought to the hospital about 840 on Tuesday night. Witness examined it and found that life was extinct. The clothes were covered with mud and blood, more especially on the back and left side. The left aide of the head was also covered with mud. The vest was torn on the left side. On the left side of the chest, in front, was a wound about 6in in length, from which the heart was protruding. Behind, on the same side, there was another wound about 3in long. Four or five ribs on the left aide were broken. On the right side of the chest there were abrasions, and four or five ribs fractured. The lower ribs were fractured on the right side, and the middle ribs on the left. These were all the external injuries. There were probably internal injuries. There was also a tear in the heart. The injuries could have been caused by the wheel of a tramcar passing over the body. The injury to the heart would have been sufficient to cause death.
To Mr Macdonald: The wheel probably went over the body in an oblique direction, from the right side to the left. Death must have been instantaneous. This concluded the evidence.
The coroner having briefly summed up, a verdict was returned that deceased met his death by being accidentally run over by the wheels of a tramcar. A rider was added exonerating the driver and conductor from all blame in the matter. -Evening Star, 22/10/1891.
Sales by auction.
SATURDAY, 5th DECEMBER, At 2 o'clock.
At Rooms, High street.
FREEHOLD PROPERTY, Cumberland street.
By Order the Administrator of the Estate of the late Paul Crawford Drew.
All that parcel of land being part of Section 44, Block XXVI, Dunedin, having a frontage of 33ft to Cumberland street, by a depth of 75ft, together with House thereon, known as Elgin House, of six rooms, outhouses, &c.
At the same time, the whole of the Furniture and Effects, which will be removed to the Rooms for convenience, will be offered without reserve.
E. C. REYNOLDS & CO. are instructed by the Administrator of the above Estate to sell the Property and Furniture by auction, at their Rooms, High street, on Saturday, 5th December, at 2 o'clock.
The Property will be on view from Wednesday. -Otago Daily Times, 1/12/1891.
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