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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal and Western Advertiser Wednesday 07 Nov 1934
Page 3 Column 6
TAUNTON STREET CRASH.
FIVEHEAD BAKER SUMMONED.
BENCH AND CONFLICTING EVIDENCE.
An accident, involving a three-wheeled delivery van and a lorry, which occurred in Lambrook-road, Taunton, on September 29th, was described at Taunton Borough Police-court, on Wednesday, when Francis William BELLAMY, baker, of the Corner Stores, Fivehead, was summoned for driving without due care and attention.
He was represented by Mr. F. W. WILLMOTT, Taunton, and pleaded not guilty.
“GAVE NO WARNING.”
Alfred Charles HARVEY, lorry driver, of Ashill, near Ilminster, stated that at 3.40 p.m. he was driving a lorry through Lambrook-road in the direction of the railway station, when he saw a three-wheeled delivery van in front, going in the same direction. He sounded his horn and was about to pass the van when it turned in front of witness's lorry, the driver giving no signal. Witness applied his brakes and swerved to the right, but could not avert an accident. He came to a stop with the front wheels on the pavement. His speed had been about 15 to 20 miles an hour. The road was very wet and consequently, he was unable to stop in less than eight yards.
Cross-examined by Mr. WILLMOTT, HARVEY denied that BELLAMY gave a signal. He also stated that he could not have pulled into the near-side when the van turned.
Mrs. Jessie HAWKER, of 105, Lambrook-road, said she was standing at her gate when the collision occurred. BELLAMY did not put out his hand and she did not hear his horn sounded. The impact pushed the van several yards.
Replying to Mr. WILLMOTT, witness agreed that the lorry was going at rather a fast speed.
DEFENDANT'S STATEMENT.
P.C. COOMBES, who arrived on the scene at 3.55 p.m., gave the measurements of two skid marks, pointed out by both drivers as having been made by the lorry. One mark could be traced for 24 feet. The road was 25 feet wide and the surface was wet. BELLAMY stated, “When I reached a point opposite the entrance of a cul-de-sac I pulled up and looked in my reflecting mirror. I put out my hand to signal my intention of turning into the cul-de-sac, I then changed into second gear. A pedal-cycle turned into the cul-de-sac and then I proceeded to turn slowly across the road. When half-way I heard a horn being sounded and brakes screeching and saw a motor-lorry almost on top of me. The lorry struck the off-side of my van. I must have swung the steering to the left in a late effort to stop a crash.”
In reply to Mr. WILLMOTT, P.C. COOMBES said he interviewed the cyclist, who stated that he did not see the accident.
BELLAMY, on oath, said he was delivering bread in Lambrook-road and came out of a cul-de-sac further back the road. He returned to his proper side of the road, and on reaching the second cul-de-sac he put out his right arm and looking in the mirror saw that there was no other vehicle on the road. He then changed gear and after waiting for a cyclist to turn into the cul-de-sac he turned. When nearly over he heard a lorry “thundering towards him” at quite 30 miles an hour. He had no chance of avoiding an accident.
Frederick MICKLEWRIGHT, of 37, Lambrook-road, said he saw BELLAMY give the signal and the lorry approach at more than 30 miles an hour. Had the driver of the lorry been travelling at a normal speed he could easily have pulled up and passed on the near-side.
The Bench having retired, the Chairman (Mr. G. H. STAINER) remarked that the evidence was conflicting and there was a certain amount of doubt, the benefit of which would be given to the defendant. The case would therefore be dismissed.