View allAll Photos Tagged splinter
It is hard to walk through the trees standing up because the dry brittle twigs tend to spear your clothes. One has to duck down and almost crawl to ensure a smooth passage from the splintering branches.
FEARFUL TRAM ACCIDENT.
Collision on the Kingsland Line.
THREE PERSONS KILLED
Several Dangerously Hurt.
ABOUT ONE HUNDRED INJURED.
Heartrending Scenes.
A tramcar accident of a terrible description occurred near Kingsland on Christmas Eve, in which three people were killed, and a large number —possibly a hundred—received injuries more or less severe.
The cars in question were No. 39, a double-decker, in charge of Frederick Humphrey, motorman, of Jervois-road, Ponsonby, and Cuthbert Carson and Hans Hansen, conductors, and a combination car in charge of Ernest Thompson, motorman, of Codrington-street, Arch Hill, and Colin Stichbury, conductor.
The double-decker was going up Eden Terrace, and passed into a loop to await another car. The current was shut off and the brake applied. The brake, however, refused to act, and the car began to go back. Finding the car unmanageable the motorman called to the conductor to apply the rear brakes and ran himself to the back of the car, but the brake failed to stop the car, which gathered an awful speed down the incline.
The car was almost full of passengers on both decks.
Soon the trolley pole doubled back and left the wire, and frequently as it struck against a cross wire or some other obstacle it lashed down with great force, striking the passengers sitting near. Some, with walking sticks, tried to steady it or guide it onto the wire, but did not succeed.
A great fear then appears to have possessed the passengers, and some cried out aloud. As the car rounded a bend near George-street another car was seen to be coming up from Kingsland, not more than 100 yards away. The double-decker was almost in darkness, as only the oil lamps were burning. The motorman on the second car had barely time to reverse the current. when, with a deafening crash, the two cars telescoped.
Several passengers were hurled down from the top deck. Others, struck by the swinging trolley pole, lay insensible. Several had jumped from the car during its mad career before the impact.
When all was over it was found that the combination ear had penetrated the double-decker for one-quarter of it's length, crushing the passengers in an awful manner.
Children were passionately thrust through the windows by brave but hysterical mothers. Men clambered out and helped the women, and a stream of people hurried down the main road to give the aid which they knew was bound to be needed.
When all who could be released were free it was found that two persons remained pinned between the cars. They were Miss Cissie Hill and Mr Benjamin Lindsay. Every able man on the spot heaved on the heavy cars to pull them apart, but they remained rigid. For ten minutes the crowd waited helplessly till another tram-car arrived, and then, with ropes attached to this, the two wrecked cars were parted.
Stretchers and vehicles were hastily procured, and doctors hurried to the scene in great numbers to give relief.
THE NEWS IN THE CITY.
News of the appalling disaster was received in town with the utmost consternation, and large crowds instantly flocked to Kingsland to inquire after the safety of friends.
The "Star"' extras posted on the windows of Messrs Wildman and Lyall were read with avidity, and these were followed yesterday morning by further editions, which were distributed throughout the city and suburbs.
THE BEREAVED DISTRICTS.
It will be noticed that nearly the whole of the passengers were residents or visitors in the neighbouring districts of Mount Eden, Mount Roskill or Kingsland, this being, of course, due to the fact that the cars had just loaded up in those districts and had not got beyond them. The occurrence struck a thrill of horror throughout the districts mentioned, and a feeling of deep mutual sympathy arose, for as one person remarked, there was scarcely a household in the neighbourhood that had not a representative or a friend on one of the cars.
THE CARS REMOVED.
All day yesterday persons visited the scene of the disaster, evidently expecting that the cars would be allowed to remain on the spot for official inspection. But the cars had been removed during the night, and nothing but a buckled tram apron and a large patch of broken glass remained to mark the spot.
THE VICTIMS.
The following are the names, so far obtainable, of those who were passengers on tbe ill-fated cars:
KILLED :
MISS ANN YOUNG HOGARTH,
aged 23, resident of Mount Eden: broken neck.
BENJAMIN LINDSAY,
aged 70, gardener, resident of Kingsland, several bones broken and other injuries.
WILLIAM CALEY, aged 40, Accountant, resident of Rocky Nook; broken hip and injured spine.
DANGEROUSLY INJURED :
Miss Cissie Hill, resident of Kingsand; injuries to head.
Hazel Blundell, aged 17 months, parents live at Morningside; concussion
SEVERELY INJURED :
Joseph James Camplin, Reston road, Mount Roskill, scalp wound and collar-bone broken. Miss Sophie Caley; broken leg.
Mr. Alfred Caley, Waihi; injured foot and bruises.
Mrs. Alfred Caley; legs crushed.
Miss Eastgate, Mount Eden; wrist, broken and leg injured.
Mrs. Page, Kingsland store; nose broken.
Mrs. Hill, Kingsland, cuts on the head.
Miss Lizzie Morrow, Kingsland; teeth knocked out and lip cut.
Mr. John Clark, Wanganui, visiting his parents at Kingsland; concussion of brain.
Mrs. John Clark, Wanganui; lip and face cut and badly bruised.
Mr. William Hewlett, head and face, injured, teeth knocked out, and general shock.
Mrs. McBride (nee Miss Beedel); injured in the head and back.
Mr. Ernest Colson, land agent; broken jaw, gash on cheek and bruises.
Mrs. Davis, Kingsland; dislocated thigh.
Miss Emmie Hill, Kingsland: nose broken.
Mrs. John Coyle, Mount Albert; ibroken rib, severley bruised and shaken.
Mr Cyril Hooker, View Avenue, Mount Eden; concussion of the brain.
SLIGHTLY INJURED:
Mr. W. A. Eastgate, Mount Eden; bruise on eye.
Mr. William Morrow, Kingsland; bruises.
Mr. William Morrow, injured back
Mrs .Morrow, cuts on head and bruises.
Miss Emily Morrow, bruises.
Mr. Alfred Williams, Onslow road, Kingsland; sinews of leg injured.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kayes and Miss Kayes, Kingsland; bruises.
Miss M. Kay and Miss G. Kayes; cuts and bruises.
Mr. Charles Page, Kingsland; bruises.
Stanley Andrews, View road; scalp wound and shock.
Mr. Charles Morris, Kingsland.
Mr. Drumm, Morningside; several minor injuries.
Mrs. Drumm, Morningside; injury to back.
Mr. Drumm's children; small injuries.
Master Clement Millings, Eden Terrace; bruise over eye.
Miss Lily Edwards, Mount Roskill.
Mr. Arthur Goldstone, Ponsonby.
Mr. W. F. Goldstone, c.o. Dr. Cox, A.M.P. buildings.
Mr. S. Jacka, Mount Roskill; cut on forehead.
Mr. Young, Morningside; cut on head.
Mr. T. Hoare. Kingsland; shock.
Mr. S. Hoare, Symonds street; shock.
Mr. Thomas Jenkins, Edendale; hand cut.
Mr. and Mrs. Blundell, Morningside; cut and badly shaken.
Mr. Alfred Hough, Rocky Nook; cuts on face and head.
Mr. Lysnar, Margaret street, Mount Roskill.
Mr. Leicester, Cromwell street, Bellwood; injury to back.
Mr. Bridgford, Kingsland; bruises on legs.
Mrs. Bridgford, bruises on hip, leg and shoulder.
Master Ernest Bridgford, ear cut and head bruised.
Master Percy Bridgford, bruises.
Miss Violet Bridgford, slight injuries to back and head.
Mr. F. Bowden, Valley road; shock, ankle badly prai:ied(?) and head cut.
Mr. W. Billing, Kingsland; bruises.
Mrs. W. Billings, Kingsland.
Mr. Cundall, Eden Terrace; bruises.
Mr. M. Freney, Kingsland; shock and bruises.
Mrs. M. Freney and child, shock and bruises.
Miss A. Freney, injured jaw.
Miss P. Freney, shock and bruises.
Master Harry Craham, Kingsland; sprained ankle.
Mrs. Jansen, Kingsland; shock.
Mr. J. King, Glenmore; back hurt.
Mrs. Lipscome, Mount Albert; bruises.
Mrs Margaret McQuoid, Kingsland; leg slightly injured.
Mrs. (?). Nixon, Kingsland; head cut and bruises.
Masters Frank and Lewis Nixon, slight injuries.
Miss Ethel Nixon, leg and mouth cut.
Miss Ruby Sinclair, Rocky Nook; face cut.
Mrs. Storey and two children, Eden Terrace; bruises aud cuts.
Mr. Kilduff, Eden Terrace; injuries to head and face.
Miss May Kilduff, Eden Terrace; cut face.
Silvia Kilduff, Eden Terrace; severely shaken.
Ethel Kilduff, Eden Terrace; severely shaken.
Harry Kilduff jun., Eden Terrace; severely shaken.
Miss Coyle, Mount Albert; bruised and shaken.
Miss M. Sinclair, Edwin-street, Mount Eden, bruises.
PASSENGERS UNINJURED :
Mr. and Mrs. Mcllwain, Mount Roskill.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Pollard, Mount Roskill.
Mr. George Heald, Mount Eden.
Mr Arthur Hulme.
Mr J. Regan and family, of Kingsland.
Mrs McQuoid.
MISS HILL
Mrs and Miss Hill were both conveyed to a private hospital in Crummer-road. They are the wife and daughter of a Kingsland farmer. Miss Hill was unconscious. Only about two years ago a brother of Miss Hill's was killed on the railway line near Kingsland.
MISS HOGARTH.
Miss Hogarth was a dressmaker, a daughter of Mr. Hogarth, employed by the Northern S.S.Co. She was sitting on the top deck of the big car, accompanied by a gentleman named Mr William Hewlett. Miss Hogarth was struck by the trolley pole, which broke her neck, giving her a painless death, Mr Hewlett was struck senseless. He received cuts about the face, and had two teeth knocked out. When he recovered his senses he found the lifeless body of Miss Hogarth lying on his side.
Mr William Hewlitt, interviewed after the accident, said he had just told Miss Hogarth to keep her head down, when he received a severe blow in the mouth, knocking several of his teeth out. He was dazed for a second or two. On recovery he found himself lying upon the upper deck of the car with Miss Hogarth lying over him. As she seemed to be insensible he made an effort to carry her down the stairway and succeeded in doing so for part of the way. At that moment the collision occurred, and he lost charge of Miss Hogarth. He afterwards took deceased from the car and laid her on the footpath, where Dr. Porter made an examination and found life extinct. The deceased never spoke after being struck.
MR. LINDSAY.
Mr Lindsay was a gardener by trade, and lived in Mercer-road, Kingsland. He was 70 years of age. His injuries were very numerous, he had a broken leg, a smashed finger, a cut over the eye, and apparently internal injuries. He was pinned between the two cars, and for a time could not be released. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where he died. Mrs Ashby, wife of Mr Ashby, baker, of Mount Roskill Road, is his daughter.
MR WILLIAM CALEY.
Mr William Caley was an Auckland accountant, and brother of Mr Caley, of Wallis and Caley, saddlers, of Queen-street. He was well-known in Auckland. As organist of the Grafton-road Methodist Church. he would have been acquainted with most Methodists of the city. He had intended to take part last evening in this choir's performance of "The Messiah" at the Choral Hall. The Caley family suffered severely, William being killed and three others severely injured. Mr and Mrs Alfred Caley came to town to spend Christmas with relatives. Mrs. Caley had both feet so badly crushed that if she survives the shock it is feared amputation may be necessary. Mr Alfred Caley also had his right foot badly bruised and cut, while his sister, Miss Sophie Caley, had her leg broken, and is suffering from severe shock. The Caleys were on top of the double-decker.
THE SCENE AFTER THE COLLISION.
Mount Roskill road just after the impact was like a battle-ground. From point a little above the end of Mount Roskill road to the scene of final catastrophy, a distance of a few hundred yards, the street seemed to be filled with hysterical spectators, with at short intervals unfortunate people — men, women and children—who had a few seconds before been in the sickening downward rush of the great two-deck car. Maimed forms lay on the ground at intervals, and many people were walking or being assisted off the street with blood-marked faces and hands, or otherwise manifesting obvious signs of having sustained severe injury. The women and children, luckily, seemed to have suffered the least hurt. This was partly due to them being mostly inside of the car, and to not running the risk of jumping off, while to the credit of many of the male passengers it is said that they did all they could to calm and assist the women and children, often at increased risk to their own lives.
A FEARFUL WRECK.
The cars that collided were a fearful wreck. The front of the big car was battered and twisted out of all shape, just as if the whole platform had been wrenched away back to the front wheels, while ironwork and woodwork hung in shreds all around and overhead. The smaller car was somewhat similarly battered. the face of the car being crunched up and forced inwards some considerable distance upon the body of the car. The glass of the windows was smashed to smithereens. Looking at the two cars one wondered that a great many of the people on the front of each car had not been killed, outright.
ATTENDING TO THE WOUNDED.
No time was lost in getting the injured people into the nearest houses and stores. Ready and eager hands provided stretchers, and carried those, who were most badly hurt where they could be best attended to, and the residents in the locality seemed to vie with each in their endeavours to do the utmost to assist those who were suffering. In one house a "Star" representative saw three or four badly injured people. In a shop on the opposite side of the road there was a man dangerously injured lying on the floor. Some ugly wounds on his head had been dressed, and a young lady was sitting by his side, unable to do anything more for him, but answering eager inquiries as to his identity and the extent of his injuries. In the dining-room of the house adjoining the same shop sat a wearied-looking woman nursing a young child, luckily herself uninjured, and fervently thankful that, though her husband was being doctored in another room for a scalp wound, the whole of her three little ones has escaped. Somewhat similar sights were seen in various private houses, and the newly-established shop of Mr. Haslett, chemist, was under full pressure. Very many of the injured people had trifling wounds dressed here, and several of the more serious cases received first aid.
DOCTORS ON THE SCENE.
Thanks to the energy and promptness of Mr W. B. Lysaght, the Tram Company's traffic manager, in an incredibly short time after the casualty there appeared upon the scene cab after cab, bringing quite an army of doctors, and placing them where their services were most urgently needed. One of the first cases attended to was that of Miss Hogarth, and Dr. Porter pronounced her beyond all medical aid, her neck being broken. Miss Hill was attended to in Mr Haslett's shop. She was seen to be dangerously hurt about the head, and when her wounds had been bandaged she was carried on a stretcher to a cab and removed to a hospital —another young lady whose injuries had been attended to on the premises taking her departure in a similar manner. In this way the work of relief went on until well towards midnight, the doctors working as probably they had never worked before, and then everything having been done that could possibly be done the thoroughfare towards one o'clock began to assume something like its normal appearance.
WHEN MORNING DAWNED.
It was not till morning that the real seriousness of the casualty became known. Then, instead of one fatality, it transpired that two others of the injured people had died and that others were in a critical condition. The street was again thronged with eager groups of people discussing the catastrophe, the excitement aroused by the occurrence being manifested by the many improbable and exaggerated stories told of the number of fatalities, while persons were mentioned as killed or fatally hurt who subsequently proved to be perfectly safe. It is stated that right on the scene of the collision a man who was astir early gathered up no less than 10 hat-pins, the inference being that the ladies either took their hats off or (more probably) had them torn off their heads in the crush to get away from the threatening peril. On the whole they were a brave lot of people, they mostly behaved splendidly in their helplessness, and after the smash there was never a murmur, but many devout expressions of thankfulness that the injuries sustained had not been worse.
STATEMENTS BY SURVIVORS.
Mr and Mrs George Pollard, of Mount Roskill, were passengers on the top deck, but escaped
comparatively uninjured. Mr Pollard, in conversation with a "Star" reporter, said: "We got on at Page's Store. All went well till we were half-way up Eden Terrace, where there is a loop. When we got on the loop the car stopped and then immediately went back, gathering speed down the hill till it attained an enormous pace. When we were passing the Mount Roskill Road the arm on the top deck, near which I was sitting, doubled right back and got off the wire. It swung violently backwards and forwards, and several passengers tried to catch it with their walking-sticks in order to prevent it from striking them when it came to a cross wire. When we were coming round a sharp bend between King-street and George-street, we sighted a car coining up from Kingsland not 100 yds away from us. They would have had barely time to see us when we were upon them. The cars telescoped with an awful impact, throwing several passengers off to the road. Then there were children passed out through the windows, and women screaming. Some of the passengers were pinned between the cars, and we could not extricate them till another car arrived about ten minutes later. These passengers must have been unconscious for they did nor cry out."
George Heald, a commercial traveller, residing in Victoria Avenue, Mount Eden, who escaped without injury, says: "I was sittng inside the double-deck car near the back. The motorman came running through, saying the brakes would not act and the car had bolted. He sang out to the conductor to put on the brakes at the other end."
Mr Edward Freeman, a young man of Mount Roskill Road, says: "I witnessed the accident. I was in a barber's shop when I heard the noise of a car rushing past and people screaming. I ran out and saw that the electric lights of the car were out and the pole off the wire. It was going at a terrible rate — I should say 50 miles an hour. When the other car would first see it the two cars, would be about 50yds apart. I saw the motorman at the lower of the double-deck car at this time, but I cannot say if he remained there till the collision. The small car was lifted up and must have gone a quarter through the other, so that the people in the double-decker must have been the most injured. I helped a number of people to get out through the windows."
A YOUNG MAN'S EXPERIENCE.
A young man named Thomas Jenkins gave one of our staff the following account of the disaster: I was on top of the double-decker going to town. The car was crowded with passengers inside and outside. The car stopped on the loop line at the Avenue. Suddenly it started to run back. The car increased its speed as it went down the hill and soon attained an alarming speed, so that it was difficult to keep one's seat. As we reached the end of Mount Roskill-road some of the stuff overhead carried away, and the trolley pole came down. The car then bolted on towards Kingsland at a tremendous pace, and the lights being out made things all the more terrible. We suddenly saw a combination car comming up from Kingsland and the next moment, almost the cars went smash into each other and were telescoped. They met with a fearful bang and crash, and splinters flew in all directions. Women and children were screaming, one from fright, others because of their injuries. People inside of the cars scrambled out of the windows. I escaped with a scratch on one hand. I ran back to meet the next car and stop it, to prevent the possibility of it also crashing into the two wrecks piled up just round the bend.
A MOTHER'S EXPERIENCE
Mrs Drumm, wife of Mr Alfred Drumm, of Mount Roskill, escaped unhurt, with three young children. While her husband was getting some rather severe bruises on his head and face dressed by a doctor. Mrs Drumm told one of our representatives that when the car commenced to run back and the motorman rushed through the car to the other end, her husband went on to the front of the car to see if he could give any assistance. He was thrown off the front of the car and struck something with his head. Mrs Drumm got out of the car after the smash with all of the children unhurt.
GREAT BLACK MASS.
I saw the double-decker come down the hill a great black mass." said a young lady who was standing at the corner of Mount Roskill-road when the big car was well started on its mad career, ''there was not a light visible, and it was rocking from side to side like a ship in a storm. People in the car were screaming for help. The car went past like a flash, and in a few moments there was a fearful crash.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Many narrow escapes are reported of people who for one reason and another just missed travelling by the fatal cars. Perhaps the most singular is that of two young ladies named Carlaw, who had travelled to Kingsland by one of the cars for the sake of the ride, but who changed cars for the return journey at the Kingsland terminus. One of them is reported to have remarked that the car was ''too jerky."
VARIOUS EXPERIENCES.
Mrs McQuoid, who was making a journey to town in the company of her daughter, Margaret, a girl of 14, and occupied a standing up place near the motorman on the two-decker, escaped unhurt, and her daughter only received slight injuries to her leg. Mrs McQuoid was therefore, able to help some of the others, and remained at the side of the unfortunate Miss Hogarth until arrival of a doctor. Mrs McQuoid says: "The motorman stuck to his post like a man through what must have been a terrible ordeal to him. Mr C. H. Page and his wife occupied seats insitle the combination car. Mr Page says: "Soon after leaving King-street we felt a terrific concussion, the lights went out, and a scene of great confusion followed. Nobody seemed to know exactly what had happened beyond the fact that there had been a terrible smash up. As soon as possible I cleared a space at one of the windows and managed to scramble through, afterwards assisting Mrs Page out the same way. Mrs Page had her nose broken, and sustained injuries to the back." Mr Page received sundry scratches on the face and bruises about the body.
Mr McElwain, of Charles-street, Rocky Nook, was inside the combination car with his wife. He says when the crash came he got out through a window and dragged Mrs McElwain after him. Mrs McElwain has several severe bruises and some abrasions about the body, and is also suffering from severe shock, being confined to her bed. Mr McElwain was not jured.
Mr G. C. Morris, of Kingsland was on the top of the double-decker with his wife and child, and they all escaped with bruises.
Mi E. Dumm, stonemason, Kingsland, but late of Waihi, had a trying experience. His wife and children were seated inside the double-decker, and he was forced to stand on the stairs. When the car first began to run back he could easily have jumped off, but of course, would not leave his wife and children. "At the bend by George-street," said Mr Drumm. "I saw the headlight of an incoming car from Kingsland, and at once recognised my only chance of escape was to jump. I did so when within a few yards of the car, and fell heavily to the ground, striking my head and losing consciousness for some little time. I was badly cut about the head, and sustained some very nasty bruises, but though suffering from shock am going on all right. My wife got off with a few bruises about the back, and the little ones fared no worse." Friends of Mr Drumm will be pleased to learn that to-day he was very much better.
Where so many suffered, it seems almost miraculous that a woman and three little children sitting in the front of the combination car should escape without serious injury, but such was the experience of Mrs Nixon, wife of Mr John Nixon, of Commercial-road, Kingsland. She was seated in front with her three children—Frank, aged nine years, Louis, six, and her daughter, Ethel. Mrs Nixon was struck by splintered timbers, but not being jammed was soon released. Tier children escaped with a few scratches and cuts, although the front car was completely smashed to pieces, and the ironwork twisted about into all kinds of shapes,
A PLUCKY LADY.
Miss Lily Edwards, who was riding inside the combination car with Mr Colson, said: "The woodwork behind me crashed in, and some of it became entangled in my hair as I went down. A man fell across me with a child in his arms. Mr Colson had blood flowing from his cheek. I disentangled myself, and getting out of the window, I helped Mr Colson through, and assisted him to my father's house. I was myself covered with blood, but this was from Mr Colson's wound.''
BOOT TORN OFF.
Mr Alfred Williams says : "The lights went out, and a panic was threatened.! The women and children were very frightened, but some of the men spoke reassuringly to them. We hoped then that the brakes would soon act. When they still failed great confusion arose on the car. In the collision one of my boots was torn nearly in two, and l was bruised in the ankle and leg, but on the whole I consider I got off lightly. My wife was uninjured."
WANGANUI VICTIMS.
Mr John Clark, who holds a good position in the Railway Department at Wanganui, was among those seriously hurt. He arrived in Auckland on Tuesday, and has since been staying with relatives at Kingsland. His wife was also concerned in the accident, having sustained shock, bruises and abrasions. Both are in a very low condition, and could say nothing to the reporters. Mrs Kayes, a sister of Mr. Clark, however, said that for the first time in six years all the members of the family were assembling for the Christmas dinner. Several of them remarked the day before the accident upon the fact that they should all be together, and they hoped, under happier auspices than on the last occassion. Six years ago, Mr John Clark came up from Wanganui at that time and lost all his personal belongings through the house being burned down. That happened on a Christmas Eve, too. Shortly before eight o'clock last night a party, comprising Mr. and Mrs. John Clark, Mr and Mrs Joseph Kayes and Miss Kayes, boarded a combination car at the Kingsland Terminus, intending to go as far as Newton. Miss Kayes remarked that as the car was crowded they should wait for the next, but the suggestion was not taken up by the party. Mr Clark was standing near the step. When the collision occurred Mr Clark fell over the chain and sustained concussion of the brain. Mrs Clark was on an inside seat, and, being thrown violently forward, got, badly bruised about the body and cut about the face. Mr and Mrs Kayes were badly shaken. Dr. Girdler states that he cannot say definitely for a day or two the extend of the injuries Mr Kayes has sustained. He is, however, in addition to concussion of the brain, seemingly suffering from a fracture of the skull, and is quite deaf. It will be a month before he will be quite recovered.
TRAMWAY CO.S STATEMENT.
AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE BRAKES.
Mr. M. Carey, the company's chief electrical engineer, interviewed the motormen who were on the cars, and made full inquiries into the causes of the accident. The result of his investigations is embodied in the following account of the occurrence, which he has furnished for publication: "Just before the double-decked car No. 39 came, to the loop in Eden Terrace the motorman received a signal from the conductor to stop. He threw off power as usual, and naturally applied the ratchet brake, which is mostly used for ordinary stopping. The brake did not act, and the motorman. instead of applying the rachet brake or again applying power, ran to the back of the car, and again tried the ratchet brake. The car had then too much speed on for the ratchet brake, and the motorman ran through to the other end of the car again, and applied the reversing lever. The car, however, was now going at high speed, and the motorman, in his excitement, did not use the reversing apparatus in accordance with the instructions of the company. Instead of reversing the lever gently and up to a certain point, as instructed, he reversed violently, with the result that the automatic circuit-breakers sent through a tremendous rush of current, and disconnected everything on the car. Even at that moment it would not have been too late to prevent the collision had the motorman simply applied the emergency brakes, which are most reliable in every respect. Even at the great speed the car had attained, it could have been pulled up in two or three times its own length had the emergency brakes been applied. The trolley-pole came off the wire shortly after, the car started to run downhill. The pole caught in a span wire, and was badly bent, and in this condition was swinging about in all directions, but the fact that the pole was off had no effect on the emergency brake, which is equally effective whether the power is on or off the line. The ordinary ratchet brake had been working all day, and it is hard to account for it's not working at that moment. The motorman states that he found it stiff, and whether that was on account of the chain having caught beneath or from some other cause we will not be able to tell, on account of the car being so badly smashed. The cars are fitted with reversing gear, and these were promptly used by tbe motorman in charge of the combination car; in fact, his car had started to go backward when the double-decker dashed into him, but he had not time to avert the collision.
THE MOTORMAN'S STATEMENT.
Mr. F. Humphrey, the motorman who was driving, the double-decker, has been in the company's service for over nine months. When the cars collided he was thrown out on to tho footpath, but he escaped almost entirely unhurt. He has made the following statement to the police regarding the accident: "I was driving the double-decker No. 39, which left the Kingsland terminus about ten minutes past eight p.m. We proceeded as far as the loop-line near Charlotte street, and I then went to put the brakes on so as to allow a car from town to pass us, but the brakes failed to act, and I then attempted to drive her ahead, but the switch blew out, and we ran back at a terrific speed till we got as far as Glenmore, where we crashed into another car."
CONDUCTORS' STATEMENTS.
The two conductors on the doubledecker car have made the following statements : Cuthbert Downie Carson, the conductor on the lower platform, states: "When near the loop-line at Charlotte street the motorman, Humphrey, came through the car and said, 'The front brake won't act.' He then tried the back brake, but it would not act. He then ran through the car again. After that the car commenced to run back at a terriffic pace, and the next thing I knew we crashed into another car."
Hans Peter Hansen, the on the top platform, states that when the car commenced to run back he pulled down the pole, which was then on the wire, but the rope broke, and the pole got away from him. The next thing he knew was the collision with the other car.
THE INQUESTS.
MR. CALEY EXAMINED IN BED.
Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., opened the inquests on the three bodies this morning, in the absence from Auckland of the Coroner (Mr T. Gresham). The inquest was begun at the Hospital, where the body of Benjamin Lindsay lies. The following were sworn in as the jury:—Messrs Thos. Read (foreman), j John Spinley, Henry Conquer, Thos. Macready, Fred Hitchcock, and Robert Armitage.
Mr Thos. Cotter was present as counsel for the Electric Tramway Company, instructed by Mr W. Coleman, the company's solicitor. Mr Carey, the company's chief electrician, was also present. Mr Brabant said he proposed that the jury should view the three bodies, and hear the medical evidence, and evidence of identification in each case, in order that the burials might be proceeded with. The further evidence could be taken on subsequent days. The primary object of the inquiry was simply to ascertain how and by what means the deceased met their deaths, but he was afraid they would have in addition a very difficult and arduous task to perform to endeavour in the interest of the public to find out who—if anybody— was to blame for the very serious accident which they would all be aware occurred on Thursday night to two of the tram cars. He was afraid they would find the inquiry a difficult one, but the coroner and jury could only do their best in the interest of the public to arrive at a just conclusion as to the cause of the accident.
BENJAMIN LINDSAY.
James Bennett, resident surgeon at the Hospital, spoke of the admission of Lindsay to the Hospital, and said he died five minutes after arrival. Deceased's right leg was crushed. There were cuts on the other leg, and on the head, in addition to bruises. The injuries caused his death by shock.
Edward James Lindsay, gardener, of Commercial road, Kingsland, said the deceased was his father. He was not one of those who brought the deceased to the hospital.
A juryman said it was very necessary that evidence should be called to show whether the method adopted for conveying the deceased to the hospital were such as would unnecessarily help to produce his death.
Police Sergeant Hanson said he believed the man was taken to Symonds street in a tramcar, and thence to the hospital on a stretcher. But they had been unable yet to find anyone who accompanied him. They would, however, make further efforts to bring evidence on the point after the adjournment.
Other jurymen agreed that this was necessary, one of them remarking that on a former occasion it was found that the ambulance employed was in a most unfit condition.
His Worship then issued a burial order, and adjourned the inquest till next Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Police Court.
A juryman asked the Magistrate whether the motorman and tram conductors concerned in the collision would be allowed to return to work before the inquest was finished. Mr. Brabant said he did not know that that was part of their business, but at the same time he thought it went without saying that they would not.
Mr. Cotter: I understand. Your Worship, tha: they are not going on duty.
MISS HOGARTH.
The Magistrate and jury then proceeded, with the police attendants, to the house of Miss Hogarth, in John street, Mount Eden. The tram company's representatives did not further attend the preliminary inquiry.
John Young Hogarth, clerk employed by the Northern S.S.Co., said the deceased was his daughter. At the time when she was brought home he was at the scene of the accident. When he returned home he found her dead.
William Hewlett, a carrier employed by Mr F. W. Smith, said he was deceased's cousin, and resided in her father's house. On Christmas Eve, he said, I was sitting on the top deck with the deceased, on the 8.20 car from Kingsland. We were sitting on the front seat. When we approached Charlotte-street loop the car seemed to go up to the points a bit, and the driver appeared to reverse her. I thought it was because he had got over the points too far. She went back over the main line at a terrible rate. Half a mile lower down, at Glenmore, the car collided with another. Before the collision I saw that the rope of the trolley arm had been let go, and the arm was swinging round. It first struck me on the lip and dazed me. The next thing I knew was that the young lady was lying across me dead. I started to carry her down the steps, and while I was descending the steps the collision occurred. With the help of another gentleman we placed her on the footpath. We had been sitting with our back to the trolley arm. The top of the car was pretty thickly covered with people. After Dr. Porter had examined the deceased and pronounced her dead, I brought her home in a cab. While the car was going back I said to Miss Hogarth, "I think we are in for a hot time, from the way the car is going."
Dr. Albert Harding Porter, residing at the corner of Mt. Roskill-road and the New North-road, said he saw the double deck car rush past without a light. A few seconds later, he continued. I heard a distant scream, and apprehending that something had happened, I ran down the road. After helping to extricate two of the sufferers from between the cars and temporarily attending to them. I was called over to see Miss Hogarth, who was lying on the side of the road. There was a slight flicker of the pulse, and on auscultating feeble heart sounds were to be heard, which stopped while I was listening. I then pronounced life extinct. I did not further examine the body, as so many other sufferers required assistance.
Dr. Porter added that he had heard that the neck was broken, and asked if he might be permitted to ascertain if this were correct.
The Magistrate asked if any other doctor had attended the deceased, and the relatives replied that none had.
His Worship said it would be necessary that the doctor should be able to certify on the depositions as to the cause of death, and as the body was lying in the room he asked that all should leave the room, so that the doctor could with the more decency examine the body. This was therefore done.
On the jury returning Dr. Porter said: There is a depressed fracture on the left temple, a fractured dislocation of the spine between the t.iira and fourth cervical vertebrae. This implicates the pharynx. The fracture of the spine in the neck was sufficient to cause death, which was accelerated by the factured skull. The injuries were such as might have been caused by the trolley pole striking her on the head.
MR WILLIAM CALEY.
The last of the three inquests was that concerning the death of Mr William Caley, which was held at the deceased's house in the New North-road.
Alfred Caley, saddler, of Waihi, one of the injured, gave his evidence from his bed. He said he was on the double-deck car on the upper deck, with his wife, his sister and his brother William (the deceased). We were first of all standing up inside the car, when the conductor said: ''There's plenty of room upstairs." We went up, but found every seat occupied. The car passed the Mount Roskill road without stopping to pick up passengers, and went into the loop near the old riding school to stop. The car then began to run back, and the trolley pole swung about. The cars collided a hundred yards from this house. Witness, continuing, said: I was thrown against the iron railing surrounding the deck. My wife said, "I am to get down over the side. You follow me." My brother William cried out, "Alf, I am jammed." I went to help him, but could not move him. He was partly on the deck and partly on the top of the stairs. The stairs had been splintered, and some of the splinters had entered his body. One of them was extracted with difficulty. I shouted loudly for help, and another man came, and together we set him free. He was groaning terribly. I helped to carry him into this house, and he warmly thanked all who had assisted him. My wife was brought in on a stretcher shortly afterwards. My brother died the same night.
Dr. C. T. McDowall said he was summoned to the deceased's house and found deceased suffering from severe shock, and several large wounds, which he was informed by Dr. Neil were caused by splinters which had been withdrawn. From these splinter wounds there had been considerable loss of blood, which had, however, ceased whin he arrived. The hip bones were crushed to pieces, and the internal organs were also injured. He did everything possible to revive him, although he had no hope from the first, as deceased was already moribund when he arrived. Death soon followed, caused by shock from the injuries.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19031226.2.23.14
Completion of inquiry:
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19040107.2.67
Plot 46: Benjamin Morrison Lindsay – Gardener – Tram crash victim
Fanny Amelia Lindsay (74) 1923 – Senile decay
Sacred
to the Memory
of
BENJAMIN LINDSAY
died 24th December 1903
aged 70 years
and his beloved wife
FANNY AMELIA
died 30th November 1927
aged 75 years
….........
DEATHS
LINDSAY.—On December 24 1903, at the Auckland Hospital, from the results of injuries received on tramway accident (Kingsland), Benjamin Morrison, the dearly beloved husband of Fanny Amelia Lindsay. Born County Derry, Ireland. Aged 70 years. Leaves wife and eight children.
The funeral will leave his sister's (Mrs J. G. Edmund) residence, Newton road, for Waikumete Cemetery to-morrow (Sunday) December 27, at 2.30 p.m.
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19031226.2.33
LINDSAY.—On November 30, at her late residence, 5 Goring Road, Mount Albert. Fanny Amelia, beloved wife of the late Benjamin L. Lindsay, late of Kingsland, in her seventy-fourth year. "Peace, perfect peace."' The funeral will leave her late residence for Waikumete, to-morrow (Sunday), at 2 p.m.