AN INQUEST
DEATH OF MARY OATES.
An inquest was opened at the Police Station yesterday afternoon touching the death of Mrs Mary. Oates, a victim of the car smash at the railway crossing in Weld Street the previous, afternoon.
The Coroner, Mr D. J. Evans J.P., presided and Sergeant King appeared on behalf of the police.
Allan Hopkins gave evidence that he was a medical practitioner practising at Hokitika. He knew the deceased. Saw the body of the deceased at the Hospital on Friday. Identified it as that of Mary Oates. Deceased was married, her husband being in Hokitika, at present. Deceased was 72 years of age. She arrived in New Zealand about 3 weeks ago from Yorkshire, England. Deceased, her husband and daughter are related to him by marriage and had been staying in his house in Hamilton Street. He saw the deceased when at Westland Hospital on Friday afternoon. He examined her and found she was very badly shocked, with slight abrasions to the head. There were no other bruises or bodily injuries. The immediate cause of death was shock and concussion. The injuries were consistent with a person being violently thrown out of a car on to a road. He saw deceased on the morning of the accident. The Coroner then stated that the Railway Department had requested that the hearing be adjourned to enable a head of the Department to be present. The inquest was then adjourned until Wednesday next, at 10 a.m. at the Magistrate’s Court. -Hokitika Guardian, 1/11/1930.
AN INQUEST
ENQUIRY CONCLUDED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
The adjourned inquest into the death of Mrs Mary Gates, as a result of the collision between a motor car and a train at Well Street crossing on October 30th, was resumed at 10 a.m. before the Coroner, Mr D. J. Evans.
Sergeant King represented the Police, and Mr H. L. Gibson, Traffic Officer, of Christchurch, the Railway Department.
Mr Tracy (Christchurch) appeared on behalf of Mr P. Renton.
The following evidence was given: —
Leslie Allington Elmslie, engine driver on Ross-Hokitika line gave evidence that he was the driver of the train from Ross to Hokitika on October 30th. It was a mixed train, with an approximate tonnage of 149, without the engine. On teaching Hokitika bridge saw the railway semaphore was set clear. The train was due at Hokitika at 2.10 p.m. Continued on to the end of the bridge. Whistled before entering the bridge and before leaving the bridge, and also again about 50 yards from Weld Street. The speed was about six miles an hour. The engine was a right hand drive. Steam was shut off. Had a clear view, of Weld Street from the east. Could not see the west side. No traffic was in sight on the east side. After reaching the crossing, got a warning from the fireman to stop. That was when they were about three parts over the crossing. Immediately applied the emergency brake. The train responded immediately. Three to four seconds elapsed from the time he applied the brake before there was a crash. Did not see what caused the crash at the moment of the impact. Did not see the vehicle that caused the impact, until about a second after. It was being slewed round, thrust and slewed. The car was then clear of the engine, except for the back hub. Saw a person about to leave the car. That was when the car was travelling backwards. The person fell on her back, clear of the railway track, with her feet towards the south-west. The engine did not strike her. After the impact, the train travelled about 20 yards before it was brought up. Then went back to the scene. Saw the woman still lying on the road. Then received instructions to carry the train on to the station out of the road. The whistle given on leaving the bridge and on each occasion was a good shrill whistle. After the train stopped recognised Mr Renton as the driver, but did not recognise any of the other occupants.
To Mr Tracy: — It had been raining but. there was no wind then. Had no warning till partly over the crossing. His fireman would have a good view of Weld Street.
To the Coroner: — His speed crossing the bridge did not exceed six miles. Shut off steam at the other end of the bridge, and then let her drift. Usually try to keep a uniform speed. The brakes are used to check the train on the run down from the bridge and to keep a uniform speed. Was preparing to stop the train on approaching the station which was near.
Frank William Pile, fireman on the Ross-Hokitika train, stationed at Ross, gave evidence that he was fireman on the mixed train from Ross on October 30. His position was on the left hand side of the engine. The train whistled approaching Hokitika bridge. Saw the semaphore on the bridge all clear. Heard the train whistle just before leaving the bridge. It whistled again opposite the swimming baths, when approaching Weld Street. Was leaning out of the cab on the look out for the Weld Street crossing. Saw nothing on the road, no traffic. Had travelled about ten yards past the Swimming Baths towards the station when he saw an approaching car. Consider the car was travelling about 20 miles per hour. Did not drive a motor car. Recognised the driver, Mr Paul Renton, as soon as he saw the car. Kept the approaching car in view all the time. Could see others in the car but could not identify them. Considered the car was coming up to the crossing to stop in the usual way. The car did not stop. Then told the driver to stop. He applied the brakes immediately and witness felt the train respond to the , brakes immediately, The speed was about six miles an hour. The car did not swerve at all to avoid the train. Did not actually see the engine strike ..the ear. Felt the engine strike the car. The train then travelled about 20 yards before being pulled up. Can see the police station before approaching Weld Street crossing. Saw Constable Dougherty at the door. When the train pulled up hurried back to the scene of the accident. Saw a lady on the ground and the car had four people in it. It was well clear of the line. Saw the car had been hit about the rear door on the right hand side. When he passed in front of the engine after it had stopped, saw the door of the car hanging on the buffer of the engine. The cap of the Westinghouse brake on the engine was broken off. The car did not overturn.
To Mr Gibson: — When he first saw the car it was about 80 yards from the line. The car was about ten yards from the line when witness told the driver to stop.
To Mr Tracy: — When he saw the car he was about 20 yards from the crossing. There was nothing in the way the car was being driven to lead him to think it was not going to stop. It was travelling on the extreme left of the road.
Walter James Spargo, a railway porter stationed at Hokitika, gave evidence that lie was on duty at the platform on the afternoon of 30th October. He was standing on the south end of the platform watching the approach of the Ross train. He had pulled the signal on the bridge for the train to come in. Heard the train whistle just before leaving the bridge and again when opposite the Swimming Baths. Had a clear view of the bridge from where he was standing. Saw no traffic whatever in Weld Street. Kept the train in view all the time. The train was slow, very slow. Nothing occurred between the bridge and crossing except the whistles. Did not notice an approaching ear in Weld Street when the train was approaching. Saw nothing till the train was three parts across the Weld Street crossing. Did not notice what then crossed his vision until he saw there was a car three parts across the line as the impact occurred. Then noticed the car slewing to the right hand side of the engine. Saw an object leave the car but could not discern what it was. When it hit the ground it remained motionless. The train pulled up immediately. He was looking solely to the train before the accident. It had been raining, but it was not raining at the time. It was slightly misty. Witness hurried to the scene to render assistance and realised on arrival that it was a woman who had been thrown out on the ground.
James Giese, a brewer’s assistant residing at Hokitika, gave evidence that he was standing under the verandah of the Railway Hotel at the corner of Sewell and Weld Streets on October 80th when he noticed a motor car being driven towards the Weld Street crossing. Saw five in the car but did not know who they were at the time. The driver had spectacles on. That was the only car that passed at that time. The car was going very slow. Followed the course of the car till it got to the railway crossing. Heard a train whistle, but did not know where the sound came from. There was a slight breeze blowing from the north. Heard the rattle of the train and saw it come on to the crossing at a mild pace. Actually saw the train hit the car. The car was taken along about a yard and thrown away to the right, then being cut out of his view.
Alan Woolhouse, a butcher, residing at Hokitika, gave evidence that on the afternoon of 30th October he had gone to his residence in Fitzherbert Street near the railway line for his dinner. He heard the Ross train whistle when it was opposite the Swimming Baths. Heard the crash of the accident, about 10 to 20 seconds after the whistle had sounded.
Charles John King, Sergeant of Police, stationed at Hokitika, gave evidence that on 30th October, about 2.10 p.m. he was called to the police station and then went to the Weld Street railway crossing. He arrived ns they were removing injured persons to the hospital. Saw the damaged car which was standing clear of the main Ross line. Also saw Mr Renton. Mrs Adamson was still sitting in the car. After the wreck had been removed took measurements of the locality. Weld Street is 80 feet wide and the footpaths on each side an additional 9 feet wide, The point of impact was 30 feet from the left hand footpath. 30 feet west from the crossing gives a view of 220 yards, as far as the railway bridge. 109 feet west along Weld Street gives a clear view of three chain along the railway line to almost opposite the Swimming Baths. When the car came to a standstill it was 45 feet back from the point of impact.
To the Coroner: — Did not consider the crossing a dangerous one. There was a previous accident a few months ago almost on the same spot and that happened to F. Chesterman. There is considerable traffic there at times. It may be described as the main inlet and outlet between the town and country. There are the ordinary railway stop notices, but no compulsory sign. When shunting is proceeding a porter is frequently on guard at the crossing. He did not think a warning bell similar to those at some crossings would be out of place. Approaching traffic has a clear view from east or west. A driver could pull up except that he was travelling at an excessive speed. The speed regulation for crossing the line there was fifteen miles an hour.
Laurence Henry Evans gave evidence that he was a motor mechanic employed by Newmans Motors Ltd. On 30th November he had just arrived at the workshop at the garage. Heard the Ross train whistle in the vicinity of the Swimming Baths. Almost immediately after heard the crash. It was 25 to 30 seconds after. He immediately hurried out of the back door, across the fence and to the train. The train was then pulled up across the crossing. He climbed through the train and saw a damaged car slightly facing the train. Saw a woman laying on her back on the ground. Later discovered it was Mrs Oates. He immediately rushed hack to the garage and got two cars and two stretchers and rode back in one car himself. Assisted to remove the wrecked car that afternoon. The rear portion of the back of the car was totally wrecked, the rear wheel on the driver’s side was totally wrecked. The rear axle was bent, rear mud-guard, running hoards and side valance were totally wrecked. The windscreen was broken. The car was a Minerva sedan. Examined the brakes. The brakes were in perfect order. Travelling at 10 to 12 miles an hour with the brakes as he found them the car should be able to pull up in two car lengths. The length of the car over all was 15 1/2 feet. It was a very dull misty day. He did not notice any wind. Knew Mr Renton for about six years. Consider he is a very competent driver.
To Mr Tracy: — Prior, and after the accident, it was showery.
To the Coroner: — He did a fair amount of driving. He considered the crossing was quite a safe one. As an experienced driver when approaching the crossing he would slow up and look to both sides of the railway line.
Paul Holmes Renton gave evidence that he was an ironmonger residing at South Hokitika. On 30th October his intention was to proceed to Kokatahi. On reaching Dr. Hopkins’ garage had in the car Mrs Renton and Mrs Adamson. Then Mrs Oates and Miss Oates entered the car. Miss Oates was on the right-hand side, Mrs Oates in the middle and Mrs Renton on the left hand side of the back seat. Mrs Adamson was on his left and he was the driver. The car is a Minerva Sedan. The brakes were in perfect order. Then proceeded along Tancred Street and turned into Weld Street. Passed between Railway Hotel and Clock Tower on the way to Kokatahi, travelling East. His speed after passing the Clock Tower approaching the crossing was 10 to 12 miles an hour. The ladies in the car were talking. Witness was not taking part in the conversation. His attention was solely taken up in driving the car. On approaching the railway crossing he took a view on the left first and saw all clear and then looked to the right and reckoned all was clear there also. He did not see a cart or car of any description about, and the crossing was absolutely clear. He had an automatic wiper on his car that day. It was raining thickly when the ladies got in the car at the doctor’s garage. He was adjusting the wiper till he got to the Clock Tower. Then it was working itself. Heard no whistle whatever when approaching the crossing. Knew it was about the time of the arrival of the Ross train. Having looked south and not seeing anything, considered the line was dear and carried on. The only time when he realised the train was on top of him was when it struck them.
The impact was about a foot behind him. The engine seemed to carry them bodily forward broadside on a certain distance and then to swing them to the right, and they were then carried back a certain distance. He did not know what had happened to the other occupants till the car came to a standstill. The first he heard was Mrs Renton calling out — where is the the old lady (meaning Mrs Oates). She repeated this several times. Constable Dougherty was standing by, and witness asked him where Mrs Oates was. He said "it’s all right, she’s here” pointed to the ground. He then saw her on the ground, between the front of the car and the train.
The impact pinned him in. He had to get over the back of the seat and climb out of the opening at the side. Mrs Adamson was still sitting in the car. He took the crossing in the usual way. The car did not turn over. He was the holder of a driver’s license since they were first issued.
To Mr Tracey — When the ladies entered the car it was raining thickly. Then ran across the road to get out of the rain. The wind screen was covered with rainwater till be got the wiper working. The wiper would only clear the portion in front. The other glass had water on it and the view was hazy through it. He did not have the usual clear view that there would be on a fine day. He was of the opinion that the rain had not stopped up to the time of the collision. As far as he knew none of the occupants saw or heard the train.
To the Coroner — The windows were all closed, which were affected by the steam inside. He was familiar with the crossing and was well acquainted with the railway timetable. He had considered the precautions he took at the crossing were sufficient for the occasion. He only looked once to see if a train was coming and thought all was clear. Heard no sound of whistle or rumble to attract his attention to a train. None of the passengers spoke of the approaching train. Mrs Adamson told him afterwards that she saw the train just a second before the impact. He did not see the train himself till the actual time of the impact. He could not say how Mrs Oates came to be thrown out of the car. He did not think she left the car until the car had been swung away to the right. That was after the door had been torn out. He did not see her till after the car had stopped. This completed the evidence.
The Coroner, after retiring for a few minutes, returned and gave the following verdict: —
That Mary Oates died at Westland Hospital, Hokitika, on 30th October from shock and concussion resulting from a collision on a street crossing between a railway train and a motor car; the said Mary Oates being a passenger in the motor car in question which was driven by one Raul Holmes Renton of Hokitika, ironmonger. -Hokitika Guardian, 12/11/1930.
Hokitika Cemetery.
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