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The townspeople of Rushden were deeply shocked on Tuesday evening when it became known that a terrible fatal accident, in which a 13-years-old boy was killed and a 14-years-old girl gravely injured, had occurred in High-street South at the bottom of Griffith-street.
The children were struck by a falling lamp-standard with which the rear part of an Eastern National omnibus came into collision after the driver had applied his brakes as a saloon car was about to turn towards the Parish Church from Griffith-street.
The inquest yesterday was opened and adjourned after evidence of identification.
The two children were:
JACK SUTTON DANIELS, of 20, Little-street, Rushden, a scholar at South End School; and
KATHLEEN PARKER, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parker, of 17, Co-operative-row, Rushden, who is employed at the Legion Boot Works, Rushden.
The boy had just been home to tea and was walking towards the town on the pavement near the entrance to the Hall Grounds, at 5.20 p.m., and Miss Parker, who was walking on the pavement in the opposite direction, was returning home from work.
The Accident
The omnibus, driven by Mr. Southam, of Kingsland-avenue, Northampton, had entered the town from Bedford and was nearing the junction of Griffith-street. At the same time a saloon car, driven by Miss M. A. Goodband, of “Myrtle House,” Grove-road, Rushden, was emerging from Griffith-street and about to turn towards the Parish Church – in the same direction as the ‘bus.
The ‘bus driver applied his brakes, and the big vehicle evidently swung or skidded towards the left-hand kerb, so that the rear part struck an electric light standard on the edge of the pavement.
Snapping off at the base, the heavy column fell upon the boy and girl, who had no warning of their danger, and struck them to the ground.
The boy, whose face and skull were terribly mutilated, was beyond aid, and the girl was at once seen to be badly injured about the head.
Conveyed To Hospital
Both were carried into the premises of Miss Simpson, a milliner, where they were examined a few minutes later by Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset.
A motor van was then obtained and the boy’s body taken to the mortuary, and Miss Parker was quickly conveyed to Northampton General Hospital.
Police Sergeant Wright, with Constables Harris, Mountford and Smith, gave all possible assistance.
The dead lad’s father, Mr. Samuel Sutton, a drover, arrived shortly after the accident, and was at first unaware of the victim’s identity.
Car Passengers
There were two passengers in the ‘bus, and Miss Goodband, the driver of the car, had with her Miss C. Watson, a teacher of the Newton-road School, and Mrs. W. Keller, of High-street. The ladies had been to a tea in the Park-road Methodist Schools. Miss Goodband is a sister-in-law of Councillor W. E. Capon, at whose house she resides.
The fallen lamp standard broke into three pieces.
“Dreadful Crash”
Miss Gladys Daniels, elder sister of the dead boy, told an “Echo and Argus” representative that she was returning home to tea when she passed her brother by the “Waggon and Horses.” She continued:
“I said, ‘Hullo, Jack,’ and he replied, ‘Hullo, Gladys.’ We didn’t stop and talk. A moment later I heard a dreadful crash, and looking round saw the conductor jump from a ‘bus. And there was Jack and a girl lying on the path, beside the lamp-post which had been knocked down. I could see Jack was dead. They took him, and the girl, into Miss Simpson’s shop.”
Mrs. Parker, the girl’s mother, was at home when the accident occurred. In an interview she said:
“A neighbour, Miss Howard, told me about the accident. I went down at once to Miss Simpson’s shop, where I was told they had taken her, and saw her there. She seemed only just conscious. She managed to say: “I want to come with Mum. That was all she said. Then they took her away to Northampton Hospital in the ambulance.’
Mr. Herbert Parker, the girl’s father, said:
“When I was told I left at once but Kathy had been taken in the Ambulance when I arrived. I did not see her. They told me there was practically no hope then.”
A young lady who was returning from work with Miss Gladys Daniels, (the sister of the dead boy) states that the moment before the tragedy she saw Jack Daniels leaning against the lamp-post reading a comic paper. Jack spoke to his sister, who answered him. She continued:
“Only being a yard or so away we heard a terrible crash and looking round, saw a ‘bus. Running up to the scene, I saw Jack Daniels lying huddled up on the path. Gladys cried out ‘He’s dead – my brother.’ I took her away and took her home, where I broke the sad news that he was hurt.”
The Inquest - Opened And Adjourned
The inquest was opened by the Deputy Divisional Coroner, Mr. J. C. Parker, at the Rushden Police Station, yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.
Mr. L. F. Hales, of Kettering, represented the relatives of the deceased.
Supt. E. E. Jones was also present.
Samuel Sutton, of 20, Little-street, said he was a drover, having been “glad to earn a few shillings.” He was the father of the dead boy, who lived with him, and was a schoolboy aged 13 years. He would have been 14 about Christmas-time.
The lad’s eyesight and hearing were good.
Coroner: Would he be coming home from School just after five o’clock?
Witness: He was going on an errand to fetch a paper for some neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, as usual.
This concluded the evidence and the Coroner adjourned the inquest until 2.30 p.m. on Thursday next, when it will be resumed at the Ambulance Headquarters, Station-road.
It is probable that six witnesses will then be called, and the Coroner will sit with a jury.
The funeral of the deceased lad will take place to-morrow (Saturday). Mr. Fred Bayes has the arrangement in hand.
On enquiry at the Northampton Hospital this (Friday) morning, the “Echo and Argus” was informed that Miss Parker passed a fairly good night, and her condition this morning showed a slight improvement.
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23rd June, 1933
Funeral of The Late Master J. S. Daniels
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The Scene of the Rushden Street Fatality
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The funeral of the late Master Jack Sutton Daniels, of 20, Little-street, Rushden, the victim of the tragedy in High-street South on Tuesday week, when he was knocked down and killed by a lamp-standard which had been struck by an omnibus, took place on Saturday.
The interment was at the Rushden cemetery, where a service in the chapel was conducted by the Rev. T. W. Gill, of the Rushden Park-road Baptist Church.
In addition to the family mourners, scholars of South End Mixed School, where the deceased lad was a pupil, attended, led by the headmaster, Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood, Mr. W. F. Summerlin, Mill Hilton, and Miss Shillito.
Eight boys from Master Daniels’ class were the principal mourners for the school and one of them carried a large wreath inscribed, “A token of affection from the scholars and teachers.”
Among the mourners were also Mr. J. Sykes, Mr. W. T. L. Flood, and Mr. R. Richards, representing the Park-road Baptist Sunday School, of which the deceased was a scholar, the Rev. J. W. Brough, Councillor A. Wilmott, and Councillor J. T. Richardson.
Among the wreaths were also tributes from the Park-road Baptist Sunday School Class and Boys’ Brigade Company, from the officers and teachers of the Park-road Baptist Sunday School, and from St. Mary’s South End Sunday School.
Mr. Fred Bayes carried out the funeral arrangements.
Appreciation
The following letter has been sent to the “Echo and Argus” by Mr. S. Daniels, brother of the deceased lad:
“It is on behalf of all relations, my two sisters and myself, that I would convey to all the good friends of Rushden our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the sympathy and kindness shown towards us in the tragic bereavement of our youngest brother, Jack Sutton Daniels, who was fatally injured under the most unfortunate circumstances on Tuesday last week. No mere words of acknowledgment can do justice to the feeling of inward gratitude which is ours at this time, by your sympathetic attitude. I am deeply moved to think that my brother had so many good friends during his short life on earth. I’m sure that none of us will ever realise to the full what that friendship really meant to him, and I am convinced that no power on earth is strong enough ever to repay you.
“May I also use this opportunity of extending a special word of thanks to all those responsible for the funeral arrangements, all members and officials of the Park-road Baptist Church and Sunday School, and friends of other denominations, all teachers and scholars of the South End day schools, members of the Town Council, and all other friends of the general public.”
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23rd June, 1933
Accidental Death Verdict On Victim Of Rushden Tragedy
Three Hours’ Inquest on High Street South Fatality
Disappearance Of A Brown Vehicle
A verdict of “Accidental Death,” added to which was a suggestion that drivers turning from Griffith-street into High-street South should take more care in view of the very dangerous corner, was returned after a three hours’ inquest at the Ambulance Rooms, Rushden, yesterday (Thursday), on Jack Sutton Daniels, aged 13 years, of 20, Little-street, Rushden.
Daniels was killed, and a fourteen years old girl seriously injured when a lamp-standard was knocked down on them by the rear part of an omnibus, which skidded when the driver applied his brakes to avoid a car turning from Griffith-street into High-street South.
There was conflicting evidence as to whether the car, driven by Miss Goodband, of Grove-road, actually touched the ‘bus, but the Coroner, in his summing up, said this was not material to the inquiry.
Miss Goodband admitted proceeding round the corner in front of the omnibus, and in her evidence sought to justify her action, though it was suggested on other sides that she should have remained in Griffith-street until the road was clear.
Parties Exonerated from Blame
Mr. J. C. Parker, the Deputy Divisional Coroner, sat with a jury of eight, of whom Mr. George Berry was chosen foreman.
Supt. E. E. Jones and Inspector Knight were present on behalf of the police.
Mr. L. F. Hales (Kettering) represented the relatives of Daniels, Mr. F. J. Simpson (Messrs. Simpson and Mason, Higham Ferrers), appeared for Miss Goodband, the driver of the car; Mr. G. A. T. Vials (Northampton), represented the owner of the car, Mr. W. E. Capon, of Rushden; Mr. R. H. Barratt (Bedford), was for the driver of the omnibus, and the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Mr. H. Kishere, A.M., Inst. T., District Superintendent of the Midland Division, was also present on behalf of the Company.
Opening Statement
Opening the inquiry, the Coroner said: “It appears that on the 13th of June the deceased was walking along the pavement in High-street South on the side nearest Rushden Hall, when by some means or other he was knocked down by a lamp-post and received injuries from which, as the doctor will probably tell you, he died. If so, you have to determine how those injuries were received.
“You will hear that there were three vehicles involved; one was the motor omnibus, which was proceeding from Bedford into Rushden; another vehicle was going down Griffith-street into High-street, and a third one, which has not been traced, and the driver of which is consequently not here to-day.
“You will hear the driver of the motor omnibus, and the driver of the car, and from what you hear you will have to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of any or either of the parties, and if so the degree of negligence that they exhibited.
The Coroner then read the depositions taken when the inquest was opened by him a week previously.
Constable’s Evidence
Vehicles and Road Measurements
Police Constable W. H. Harris, of Rushden, was then called. He said that on the 13th of June, at about 5.25 p.m. he was called to the scene of the accident at the junction of High-street South and Griffith-street. He went to the spot and found a motor omnibus, belonging to the Eastern National Omnibus Co., on the high-way facing Rushden Church, close to the left-hand kerb. A motor car, belonging to Mr. Capon, and driven by Miss Goodband – an Austin 16 h.p. saloon – was standing obliquely across the road, coming from the direction of Griffith-street with the near side front wheel two feet from the off-side of the omnibus. A lamp standard was lying across the path. That had been shifted before witness got there.
The dead boy was in a nearby shop and the girl was being attended by a doctor. She was taken to hospital and the boy to the mortuary.
“I then took measurements of the road,” continued the constable. “Griffith-street is 24ft. 10ins. wide at the bottom and 40ft. at the mouth where it joins High-street South. High-street South is 23ft. wide on the Rushden side of Griffith-street turn, and on the Bedford side 24ft. 6ins. There is a white line in the centre of High-street South on both sides of the turn.
“The measurements of the ‘bus were from the near-side front wheel to the near-side kerb 1ft. 6ins., and near side rear wheel, to the near-side kerb, 4ins. From the front of the ‘bus to the lamp-standard was 33ft. 10ins. and the overall length of the ‘bus was 26ft. and the wheel span 7ft. The height of the rear part of the ‘bus was 7ft. 7ins. The skid-mark made by the off-side rear wheel was 17ft. from the commencement of the skid, when it was 8ft. from the near-side kerb, curving into 7ft. at the finish.
No Car Skid-Marks
“The total length of the skid from the front of the ‘bus to the beginning of the skid was 45ft. 1in.
“With regard to the Austin car, from the near-side front wheel to the entrance of Griffith-street was 12ft. 9ins.; from the rear wheel to the entrance of Griffith-street, 9ft.; from the off-side wheel of the ‘bus to the near-side wheel of the car, 2ft; and from the off-side of the ‘bus to the near-side wheel of the car, 7ft. 1in.
The width of the kerb and footpath on the side where the lamp-standard was, is 7ft.”
Coroner: Were there any skid-marks of the car coming down Griffith-street? – None at all.
The state of the road? – Very wet and greasy due to heavy rain.
Was it raining at the time? – Just drizzling. Apart from that visibility was good.
Coroner: What about the camber of the road? – I could not give you the measurements.
The constable then handed in a plan, from which the Coroner observed that there was a fall from 22ft. to 10ft. – “What you might call a heavy camber.”
Pointing To The 'Bus
By Mr. Simpson: You say the car was diagonally across the road. By that you mean pointing towards the Church?
Witness: Towards the ‘bus.
It had nearly completed the turn? – Three-quarters.
Witness also said the lamp-standard was level with the edge of the kerb. It was broken into three pieces, and the top was some distance away.
In reply to a further query by Mr. Simpson, the constable said it was obviously indicated that the rear part of the ‘bus had swung round on the lamp-standard.
From the marks on the road, he judged the ‘bus would be just on its proper side before the skid commenced.
There were no marks on the ‘bus except where it hit the lamp-standard.
Mr. Simpson said there was a distinctly unfortunate set of circumstances to begin with. There was a practically blind corner, a greasy road, and one with a heavy camber; then a lamp-standard which, when struck, went off “with a blow”; and this boy happened to be in the way of the standard.
The Constable: My information is he was leaning against the standard.
Coroner: That does not matter, you were not there.
Stopped In Own Length
In answer to Mr. Barrett, the constable agreed that the ‘bus was on the main road, and Griffith-street was a side road.
The constable further said there was a mark on the off-side front wheel tyre of the ‘bus which might have been caused by the car.
He could not say whether it was recently made.
The front wheel of the car was two feet from that wheel. There was no damage to the car at all.
Mr. Barrett: The ‘bus had pulled up, so far as marks went, in half its own length? – Yes.
Then you would agree it was going comparatively slowly? – Yes.
And that is on the main road? – Yes.
Is there a stopping place for the ‘bus about 100 yards along? – Yes.
So again, if the ‘bus was going to stop a hundred yards along it would not be going very fast? – No.
The ‘bus pulled up very quickly and was still opposite the mouth of Griffith-street? – Yes.
Was there anything to obscure the view of the lady turning out of Griffith-street? – Only the wall and the trees.
On Correct Side
Anyone coming down Griffith-street nearly in the middle, would be able to see in the main road for several yards? – Not until nearly at the bottom.
The corner is rounded? – Not very much.
Mr. Barrett then handed in several photographs of the ‘bus taken before the ‘bus was moved, from various angles.
How far, he asked, was the rear of the ‘bus from the base of where the lamp-standard would have been?
Witness: I did not take that measurement, but roughly five feet.
How far was it from the back of the ‘bus to the rear most part of the rear wheels? – Roughly 18ins. to 2ft.
You saw no marks made by the car? – None at all.
And no marks of having applied the brakes? – No.
In answer to a further query by Mr. Barratt the constable said the car driver’s licence was taken out early this year.
Coroner: The lady will be called.
Mr. Barratt: From what you saw and the measurements you took, would you say the ‘bus was on its correct side all the time, and was not going very fast? – That is so.
By Mr. Hales: Where did the rear part of the ‘bus strike the lamp-standard? – The bottom step at the rear entrance, and near the top.
Swinging Down Camber
Coupled with the skid mark, does that indicate the rear part of the ‘bus was swinging down the camber? – It must have been.
The tyres, added witness, were fairly good.
Mr. Hales: Did you or anyone test the brakes on the Austin? – No.
The mark on the ‘bus tyre; was there anything on the car to have made such a mark? – Nothing at all.
And nothing on the front of the car to indicate it had hit the ‘bus? – No.
If a white line had been drawn right down Griffith-street, would the Austin car be on the wrong side? – Some part of the front of it.
The greater part of the car was on the wrong side of the road when you saw it? – Yes.
With reference to a photograph of the ‘bus taken from Griffith-street, Mr. Hales submitted that a driver turning from that street would have nearly 18ft. to pull up if there were any traffic, when he could see into the main street.
P.C. Harris: I could not say definitely.
He agreed there would be a minimum of 12ft.
In answer to Mr. Barratt witness said he did not see a dent on the near side wing of the car.
The police sergeant did not mark one while he was there.
Mr. Simpson suggested that the view of the main road might be altered according to where the picture was taken from.
Omnibus Driver - Roads in Greasy State
The driver of the omnibus, having elected to give evidence, was then sworn.
He said his name was Ernest Southam, of 48, Kingsland-avenue, Northampton, and he was an omnibus driver in the employ of the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd. He had been driving omnibuses for four years, including this particular type, with which he was conversant. It was a Leyland saloon ‘bus, of 40 h.p.
On the 13th June he left Bedford at 4.30 and was due in Rushden at 5.20. He had plenty of time. Witness said he had been on that route eight or nine different times, and knew the road quite well. He arrived on the outskirts of Rushden at 5.20, and was going to stop outside Robinson’s garage, being due there at 5.20.
It was just drizzling then, but had been raining and the roads were in a greasy state.
Witness continued: “I was coming at the usual pace and was slowing down, knowing the town, and before I got to the turn where the inn is on the left hand side, slowed down to approximately 10 m.p.h., preparatory to stopping further on. Then when I got to the bit of a bend, I slowed down to about 6 m.p.h. and kept on my near-side, on my correct side of the white line. I sounded my hooter on the bend, before coming to the white line and then the next thing I knew of anything I had this crash.”
View Of The Car
Coroner: Did you see the car coming down Griffith-street? – I did, sir, just before I got to the junction.
Could you say what pace it was going? – I could not say, but I should not think fast coming out of a turning.
Then what happened? – To avoid a collision with the car I applied my hand and foot brakes.
Did you notice whether the ‘bus skidded? – I could just slightly feel the wheel to a certain extent. It was only for a short distance.
Then did you hear a crash? – Yes.
What had happened to the car? – The first thing I did was to get out and ask the lady not to move her car, so that I could get particulars.
Where was the car? – The near-side front wheel was touching my off-side front wheel.
“After I had mentioned that,” said witness, “I went to ask people if they witnessed anything. I did not know anyone was hurt until 10 minutes after then.
“Moved Back A Yard”
“When I came back the car had been moved back roughly about a yard towards Griffith-street.”
Coroner: So that when the police saw it, it had been moved? – Yes.
Apart from the moving of the car, are the other measurements about right? – I should think so.
Could you say what was the position of the car in Griffith-street? – I should say it was slightly on its wrong side when I first saw it.
There was no white line in Griffith-street. Witness heard no horn sounded and he had no warning from Griffith-street. The ‘bus had four wheel brakes.
Witness then said he was signalling he was going to stop, and had had his right arm out of the cab.
A juryman (ex-P.S. Roughton): Would not the stopping place be nearer? – It might be a little, but I want to be on the right side.
Another juryman: Was the ‘bus near enough to catch the lamp-standard without skidding? – I should not think so.
By Mr. Barratt: How long have you held a driver’s licence? – Over 20 years.
Clean Record
And it is perfectly clean? – Yes.
How long have you been driving for this Company? – Two months.
Previous to that were you quite familiar with the road? – Yes.
And had driven in Rushden before? – Yes.
Did the car actually come in contact with the ‘bus? – Just, and a slight mark was made. I pointed that out to the police sergeant and other constables, and I think the sergeant said “Yes I think it’s pretty evident.”
Mr. Simpson suggested that was not admissible as evidence.
Was there any mark on the car? – Just a slight dent.
Did you point out that to anybody? – Yes, to the police and to my conductor.
Did you hear or notice any application of brakes by the car? – None whatever.
After getting out of the cab did you? – None whatever.
You were on the main road at the time and on your correct side? – Yes.
Could you have done more than you did to avoid the Austin? – No.
Suppose you hadn’t applied the brakes? – The Austin would have been smashed up.
You were avoiding a car coming from a side road and taking your road? – Yes.
Car From Rushden
Witness said there was a car coming from the direction of Rushden at the time.
By Mr. Simpson: What is the weight of your ’bus? – About 3 tons 10 cwt.
Over what period is the eight or nine times you have driven on this route? – About three weeks.
Have you ever come down Griffith-street? – No.
Do you know the bottom is regarded as a regular “death-trap”? – I did not, but I can imagine it would be.
If you slowed down to ten m.p.h. how can you account for a skid of 17ft.? – The greasy roads at the time.
Don’t you think you were going a bit faster? – I am sure not.
No one coming down Griffith-street can see the main road well? – I don’t know what to say to that.
You want to be fair? – Certainly.
You don’t want to get out of any possible trouble yourself by implicating anyone else? – No.
Didn’t you when you got out of the ‘bus, pass between the nose of the car and your ‘bus? – I had no need.
I am instructed that you and your conductor had room to get between? – After it had been moved.
Right Up To 'Bus
Do you say the nose of the car was right up against your 'bus? – I do.
Didn’t Miss Goodband say she had better move the car because of the traffic? – Yes.
You asked her not to move it? – Certainly.
The mark on your tyre might have been caused by anything? – Not under the circumstances.
In reply to Mr. Simpson’s suggestion that the tyre might have at some time touched a kerb, the driver said they had instructions to keep away from kerbs.
Mr. Simpson: How could Miss Goodband help being on the wrong side of the road, if your big ‘bus was taking up the left-hand side of the road? – My big ‘bus was not taking up all the left side of the road.
Given an Austin car in good condition, would you expect really under the circumstances to hear the brakes applied? – I should have expected some skid marks.
You say the Austin would have been smashed up if you hadn’t applied your brakes? Weren’t the vehicles nearly parallel? – I should have been further along.
Put His Hand Out
By Mr. Vials: How far from the corner did you sound your horn? – I blew the born on the bend by the “Waggon and Horses,” and put my hand out.
Did you have your hand out when you saw the car? – No.
The Coroner: He had his hand-brake on, and must have had his hand on the brake.
By Mr. Hales: Had you your screen wiper working? – No, it was merely drizzling, and it hadn’t rained much coming from Bedford.
The car tried to head you off? – Yes.
What indication did the car driver give of which way she was going to turn? – None whatever. The driver was watching the traffic, and in my opinion that was the whole cause.
The car was to a certain extent on the wrong side of the road, said witness in answer to further inquiries by Mr. Hales.
Boy’s Injuries - Fracture to Skull
Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset, Rushden, said he received a telephone message asking him to go to the scene of the accident.
“I went immediately, and in a shop nearby found the deceased boy, who appeared to have died quite recently,” said the doctor.
“He had a narrow shaped wound on the left side of the forehead. There was another wound about five inches long on the back of the head, and the scalp had been torn away from the bone for about two inches. There had been a good deal of bleeding from the nose and mouth. I think undoubtedly the boy had a fracture of the base of skull.”
Al these injuries were compatible with some heavy article falling upon him.
Miss Goodband’s Evidence - Then I stopped Dead
Millicent Alice Goodband, the driver of the Austin car, was then called, and said she lived at 56, Grove-road, Rushden. She was a single woman. On the 13th June she was driving a 16 h.p. Austin 6-cylinder car, and had three passengers with her, one beside her and two in the back.
She was going down Griffith-street into High-street South, and as she neared the corner, sounded the hooter and getting no response proceeded.
“Just as I was turning into High-street South I saw the Bedford 'bus, coming from Bedford, and from the opposite direction a small brown vehicle – I am not sure whether it was a car or a van – and a pedal cyclist. I kept on, turning right, and the next thing I know was the crash, which I heard. Then I stopped dead. I was travelling very slowly, and my foot was on the brake the whole way down the hill. I was in low gear, I am not quite sure whether second or third.”
Coroner: Whereabouts was your car when you stopped? – Not touching the 'bus.
Coroner: Never mind about that.
Witness: It was askew, looking towards Rushden.
“A Foot Away”
How far was any part of your car from the ‘bus when you pulled up? – About a foot. Seeing the traffic collect I was anxious to move to let it pass. I thought I would reverse, and in doing so I let the car run on.
Coroner: So that it touched the ‘bus? – Not at any time. I let the car run on till about 6 inches from the ‘bus.
How long after the crash did you think about getting out of the way of the traffic? – Almost immediately.
And afterwards you let the car go nearer the ‘bus? – Yes, but at no time touched the ‘bus.
Witness said she had been driving the car three years next September, and had also driven prior to that.
Have you any endorsements or had any trouble before? – One accident.
But you have not been charged with it? – No.
By Mr. Barrett: You would consider yourself an experienced driver? – I drive nearly every day.
You know the spot pretty well? – Yes.
It is only a side road? – Yes.
You were emerging from a side road into a main road? – Yes.
And anyone doing that should take particular care? – Yes.
A big National ‘bus like that is easy to see? – Yes.
How far away were you when you saw the ‘bus first? – Possibly 30 yards.
You were coming exceedingly slowly? – Yes.
You didn’t apply your brakes? – They were already on.
Witness stated that there was sufficient room for her car and the ‘bus to run parallel. She looked to the left first.
Mr. Barrett: Would not it be more natural to look to the right, the way you were going? – The corner is not so blind that side.
Witness said she came down Griffith-street in low gear with the brake on for a hundred yards. The brakes had been adjusted the previous Saturday, and she was going about 5 m.p.h.
Mr. Barrett: Could you not have stopped almost dead? – Yes.
Why didn’t you? – I did not see the necessity. If I had stopped I should have been in the way of the other traffic.
You had moved the car before the police came on the scene, although asked not to? – I waited for the police to tell me.
Witness said she did not notice a mark on the ‘bus tyre, and the only marks on the car were not new ones, and were quite small.
Were you in any hurry that afternoon? – No.
In Front of 'Bus
You really came out into the road right in the way of the ‘bus? – No.
Supposing you had put your brake on harder the ‘bus would have gone right by? – I was in front of the ‘bus.
By Mr. Hales: Rightly or wrongly, regardless of traffic, you were going round the corner, before the ‘bus? – Yes.
And halfway round the corner you saw the ‘bus? – Yes.
And you still pursued your way in spite of the other vehicles coming? – I should have been in the way of those vehicles if I had stopped.
Witness expressed doubt, in reply to Mr. Hales, as to whether there would have been room for her car and the ‘bus inside the white line on the left-hand side of the road.
After the accident she pulled clear without any backing at all.
Is it not a fact that you were cutting the corner on the wrong side? – No. I was well over on the left.
Coroner’s Query
Is it your custom to drive about the town in second or third gear? – Down hills, and I had only just started out.
The Coroner then referred to witness’s evidence in chief, in which she said she thought she would reverse, and in doing so let the car run on.
Witness agreed with the Coroner that the words “trying to reverse” had better be substituted.
By Mr. Simpson: Clear this up; how did you move the car? – About 6 inches forward and 4 inches back.
You are quite certain your car did not touch the ‘bus? – Yes.
When the driver got out of the car, did he have room to get between the vehicles? – Not at first, it was afterwards.
Did the driver make any observation to you at all? – He said “Admittedly, you were going very slow.”
As a matter of fact you did not know an accident had occurred? – Not at first.
Mr. Simpson: As a matter of fact you had been to a tea-party at the Wesleyan Church that afternoon, and were taking Mrs. Keller, Miss Dickens and Miss Watson back to their homes? – Yes.
An Eye Witness - The Brown Vehicle Again
William Alfred Scholes, 105, High-street South, Rushden, said he was by the Park gates, ten yards from Griffith-street, walking towards Bedford, when he saw a car coming from Griffith-street and a ‘bus coming from Bedford. A vehicle had just overtaken him.
The three vehicles arrived at the junction almost simultaneously, and the back part of the ‘bus took rather a long skid, and it hit the lamp-standard which fell on the two children, who were walking beneath.
“My opinion is that the car did not hit the ‘bus.”
Coroner: “You are not asked that yet.”
The brown vehicle referred to, continued witness, went up Griffith-street. He then went up to see the children.
Coroner: Did you go and look at the vehicles before going to the children? – No.
How long elapsed before you got to the children? – Not more than a minute.
What was the pace of the ‘bus? – Just a moderate speed.
What about the Austin car? – It was going very slowly.
Did either of them sound their horn? – No.
By Mr. Barrett: Did the ‘bus pull up almost immediately? – Yes.
It was on the correct side of the road? – Yes.
Could the vehicles have touched without you seeing? – They could, but it was hardly probable.
The lady in the car looked both ways, he said, and if she had braked she would have been in the way of one or the other.
Mr. Barrett: Wasn’t she in the way of one or the other as it was? – Possibly.
If she had pulled before getting right out of Griffith-street there would never have been this inquest. Why did she not stop as there were two other vehicles in the mouth of the road? – It seemed as if she could get round. There should have been plenty of time.
But there wasn’t was there?- No.
Did the driver of the brown vehicle give any signal? – No.
And in the absence of any signal would be presumed to be going straight on? – Yes.
Could not she have stopped before coming out of Griffith-street? – Yes, I agree, but I think there was time to get over to the left-hand side.
By Mr. Hales: Did you not form the opinion she was determined to proceed at all costs? – No.
This concluded the evidence.
The Summing Up
In his summing-up the Coroner said there was plenty of evidence before the jury, and there was also no doubt as to the cause of death.
The jury had therefore to find if there was any negligence on the part of anybody.
The driver of the omnibus was on the main road, driving a public service vehicle from Bedford to Rushden. He was experienced and knew that he had not only to think of other users of the road, but also of his passengers in the ‘bus; indeed the omnibus companies instructed their drivers to take care of their passengers as well as the other public. He was therefore going along on his proper side of the main road.
With regard to the witness driving the Austin car, the members of the jury knew Griffith-street perhaps better than many others present and knew it was a dangerous place for a vehicle coming down to emerge into the main road.
“You have heard, in this case,” continued the Coroner, “that she was driving down in second or third gear, which those of you who are motorists will know is of assistance to the brake, and when she got to the bottom of the road, she saw the omnibus coming, and turned right to come along High-street South. It has been put to her that as soon as she saw the ‘bus it was her duty to pull up and let all main road traffic go by. The possibly may be correct, but we all know there is such a thing as an error of judgment, and we are inclined to take a risk sometimes. She kept on and turned to the right, and whether she hit the ‘bus or not, is in my opinion, not very material to this inquiry.
“But it caused the driver of the omnibus to apply his brakes, and the ‘bus swerved, knocking down the lamp-standard. I think you will agree that there can be no negligence on the part of the driver of the omnibus. With regard to the driver of the car, you have heard she was driving cautiously, the last witness says very cautiously, and the only other things she could have done would have been to stop until the traffic was clear.
“That may be a certain amount of negligence, but it is not sufficient negligence to be criminal evidence against her.”
Jury’s Verdict and Rider
The jury then retired and on returning, the foreman announced that they wished to return a verdict of “Accidental Death,” to exonerate the driver of the omnibus from all blame, but as it was a dangerous corner they thought more care should be taken by people driving down Griffith-street to High-street South.
On behalf of his client, Mr. Simpson expressed regret at the accident, and sympathy with the relatives, and this was endorsed by Mr. Barrett for the omnibus driver and the company.
The Coroner said Mr. Hales would convey that to the family.
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