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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 16 Aug 1941
Page 3 Column 1
DRIVER BLAMED FOR FATALITY
TAUNTON STREET MISHAP
ELDERLY MAN KNOCKED DOWN BY VAN
The view that a van driver was guilty(?) of negligence not amounting to criminal negligence, was expressed by the Assistant-Coroner, Mr. F. W. WILLMOTT, at an inquest at the Taunton and Somerset Hospital on Friday on Mr. William MATTHEWS (69), labourer, 55, Wheatley Crescent, Taunton.
When walking on the pavement in East Reach at about 11 a.m. on July 21st Mr. MATTHEWS was knocked down by a motor-van driven by Arthur Reuben BUTLAND (18), of 1, Small Holdings, Staplegrove, a delivery-man employed by Messrs. G. & F. Day, Trull. He died in the Taunton and Somerset Hospital on Wednesday.
Mr. William MATTHEWS, 20, Lyngford-place, Taunton, stated that his father's sight and hearing were good.
VAN MOUNTED PAVEMENT.
Mrs. Doris Beatrice May JEAVONS, 13, Noble-street, Taunton, who saw the accident, said she was walking on the pavement about 10 yards behind Mr. MATTHEWS, who was close to the railings. A blue motor-van mounted the pavement between witness and a stationary car, and struck Mr. MATTHEWS on the left side. He threw up his hands, and after covering her eyes witness saw him lying on the pavement.
Signalman Ernest Alfred HAWKINS said he saw the car leave the road and mount the pavement, but his view(?) of the accident was obscured. He found(?) Mr. MATTHEWS lying face downwards on the pavement. The van had stopped on the road about 25 yards(?) further on.
Signalman Eric Charles PAYNE said he saw the blue van come out of the roadway leading from the old tramway shed and cross to its proper side. He then heard tyres squealing and saw the van go to its offside. After seeing the injured man witness sent for the ambulance.
LOST CONTROL.
Mr. Mark SALWAY, boot and shoe retailer, 50, East Reach, Taunton, owner of the stationary car, said he was about to enter it when the blue van shot across in front of him. It mounted the pavement and struck Mr. MATTHEWS, and then returned to its correct side of the road. The driver appeared to have completely lost control of the car. The road was otherwise clear.
P.C. WILLIAMS said that when he was(?) taking the names of witnesses the van driver approached and stated, “This is the first time I have been in the the van alone.”
After being cautioned he (BUTLAND) told the constable that he had just come out of the Meat Pool premises on to the main road near Hembrow's garage. As he had the wheel over to the right, to turn towards the town, the back door swung open. He looked behind to see that nothing had fallen out, but did not straighten his wheel.
This caused the van to go right across to the offside of the road and on to the pavement. The van missed a stationary car, but knocked down a man who was on the pavement. It was in bottom gear and travelling at about eight miles an hour.
When he saw the man he immediately applied his brakes, but the brake and accelerator pedals were so close together that he must have accelerated.
In reply to the Coroner, P.C. WILLIAMS said that BUTLAND might have applied both the brake and accelerator pedals by mistake.
Dr. SANDEK(?) said that Mr. MATTHEWS had a fracture of the right side of the skull, extending to the base. He died on Wednesday from bronchial pneumonia, due to congestion of the lungs(?). His age and the septic condition of his teeth were contributory factors.
A verdict was returned that death resulted from injury received in the accident, which was due to the negligence of the van driver, such negligence not being criminal.
The Coroner expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.
Mr. M.(?) BIRCH represented the van driver, who did not give evidence, and Mr. R. W. YOUNG appeared for the relatives of Mr. MATTHEWS.
DRIVERS INEXPERIENCE
FINE OF £5 AND COSTS
BUTLAND was charged at the Borough Sessions on Wednesday with driving a motor-vehicle without due car and attention. He pleaded guilty.
Mr. R. W. YOUNG was for the prosecution, and evidence was given by Signalmen HAWKINS and PAYNE and P.C. WILLIAMS.
Mr. F. BIRCH, for defendant, submitted the accident was due to an error of judgment by BUTLAND.
Announcing a fine of £5, with costs of £4 5s 6d. the Chairman, Alderman J. C. LANE, said in the opinion of the Bench BUTLAND should have had more experience before starting to drive in the town, and should have someone with him for some time to come.
<NOTES: William MATTHEWS, married Bessie SMITH
William MATTHEWS (son) is William George MATTHEWS, son of William MATTHEWS and Bessie SMITH>