Killed As Result of Tragic Accident

Chronicle (Levin), 15 April 1948, Page 5

Killed As Result of Tragic Accident

AUCKLAND, April 14. 1 ' Through no i'ault of tlipii; own, these two unfortunate men die- as the* 'result of a tragic accident," said the Coroner, Ah'. A. Addison, at the resumed inquests into the deaths of Alvfn Keith Daily, drainlayer, aged 43, and Arthur Berkley Burberry, labourer. aged 35. Tlie Coroner found that the i-ause of their deaths on Deeember 23 last, was multiple injuries sustained as the result of a motor trailer (horse ttoat) breaking loose from a motor truck and eolliding with the motor cai in which the two deceased were driving at Avondale. The Coroner said the accident occurred because of a defective trailer coupling holding the horse float to the truck. Tlie coupling was defective as the accident had. proved and the evidence of the police meehanie proved that it was defective in both design and mamifaeture. It was surprising, he added, that no provisions were laid down for an inspection of trailers for the purpose of a, warrant of fitness. It seemed an inspection of the trailer and particularly of the coupling, should be even more strict than tha; ,of a car. With the increase in the uso of trailers it was more than likeiy similar aeeidents would occur unless trailers and theiv couplings were under much stricter inspection than at present. The Coroner said he proposed to^ make a recommenda.tion to that efileet - to the Transport Board. 0