TRAMWAY FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2705, 8 January 1910, Page 5

TRAMWAY FATALITY.

A WOMAN KILLED

[Per Press Association. l CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 7. An elderly married woman stepped off an electric tram which left the Square at 10.10 last night for Papanui, Avhon it was passing Innes Road at a fairly high rate of speed. \Yhen picked up the woman was just conscious and Avas removed to the nearest doctor’s place, Avhere it w-as ascertained that the skull was fractured at the base, and the Avoman expired almost immediately. The woman Avho jumped off the lapanui train last night and ay as killed has been identified as Mrs. Ellen Butler, aged 58, housekeeper for Mr Maurice Harris, Innes Boad, Papanui. It is not clear Avhether she fell or slipped off the tram. The conductor only saw her strike the ground. She. lived only fifteen minutes after reaching Dr. Russell’s house. At the inquest oil Mrs Ellon Butler, the woman Avho was killed by stepping off the Papanui tram last night, a passenger stated that she saw Mrs Butler step off the car whilst it Avas travelling at a good pace. Mrs Butler Avas looking to the rear of the tram and she appeared to fall heavily and skidded along the ground. Apparently the deceased thought th'it the car had stopped Avhen she stepped off. . The conductor stated that he had no recollection of the deceased asking him to stop the car at any particular place. At the time of the accident the ear av»s travelling between 12 and 15 miles an hour. John Wood, traffic superintendent, stated that the deceased had traA-elled beyond the distance she Avas entitled to'on the ticket found in her bag. Another witness identified her as the Avife of Patsy Butler. A A'crdict of accidentally killed while stepping off a- tram whilst in motion was returned.