Court Opinion

ID: 6124111
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-04 20:16:58.314662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:24:28.386503
License: Public Domain

Gilbert, J.:
We are of opinion that no proof of negligence on the part of the defendant was given. Ferry conqaanies are not insurers of the absolute safety of passengers, either while coming on board the ferryboats, or while going ashore therefrom, nor are they bound to guard against possible accidents which could not reasonably be foreseen. Their duty is to furnish accommodations, for the receiving and landing of passengers which are reasonably sufficient for that pur*37pose, and for the protection of persons using the means provided, in a reasonable way. (Blackman v. London, &c., R. Co., 17 W. B., 769; Rigg v. Manchester, &c., R. Co., 12 Jur. N. S., 525; Cornman v. Eastern Counties R. Co., 4 H. & N., 781; Crafter v. Metropolitan R. Co., L. R., 1 C. P., 300; Dougan v. Champlain Tr. C., 56 N. Y., 1; Crocheron v. North Shore, &c. Ferry Co., Id., 656, reversing 1 N. Y. Sup’m Ct. [T. & C.] 446; Cleveland v. New Jersey Steamboat Co., 68 N. Y., 306.) It is not enough, to make out a case of negligence, to suggest that additional precautions would have prevented the accident. It is always quite easy to do that after an accident lias happened. But the question is, whether a prudent person, under all the circumstances involved, might reasonably be expected to foresee that the accident, which happened might occur. We have no hesitation in giving a negative answer to that question in this case. Such an accident as-that by which the deceased lost his life was quite beyond the scope-of probability.
The deceased, a boy seven years old, in some way which is not' satisfactorily explained, got through a space of from twenty to twenty-two inches wide in the railing of the landing float or bridge, fell into the water and was drowned. There was nothing ruiusual in the construction of the bridge or float. Such a bridge or float had been used for the purpose of landing passengers for a very long period, and had hitherto proved adequate and safe. No> accident like that which happened to the deceased had ever occurred, although the number of passengers landed from the defendant’s boats in some years exceeded forty millions. Surely the mere occurrence of an accident, such as had not before been known to the defendant, and which happened in such an extraordinary manner, is not evidence of negligence. As the cases cited show, the defendant was not bound to foresee and provide against such a¡ casualty. We have examined the authorities to which we hav& been referred by the learned counsel for the plaintiff, but none-of them conflict with the principles above stated.
Without considering the question of contributory negligence, we think the judgment and order denying a new trial should be rerversed, and a new trial granted, with costs to abide the event.