MAN’S CHARMED LIFE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 15 June 1933, Page 3

MAN’S CHARMED LIFE

CHAPTER, OF ACCIDENTS

CONCUSSION THREE TIMES

Declaring that he had served with Colonel Lawrence in Arabia, a man described at the Middlesex Court last month a, remarkable series of accidents, each resulting in concussion. James Arthur Lane, aged 37, motortransport manager,, was found not guilty of driving while under the influence of drink, but guilty of driving in a manner dangerous to the public. Lane stated that in 1913 he received concussion while training a- horse for .jumping; in 1914 he received concussion and was unconscious for four days, through a fall while hunting'; in 1915. while in the trenches, he was blown up three . times, and later a dugout fell in on him, killing another man. He received a head wound, was unicociseious for ten days, and was partly paralysed on one side. In 1916 he again received concussion through another fall while riding, and was declared unfit for overseas service.

“I managed to go to Arabia and served under Colonel Lawrence,” continued Lane. “I was in hospital with dysentery and malaria, and for a second time was unfit for military service. But I managed to get back to inv old regiment, and while with the army of occupation I had an aeroplane crash.”

On the evening of the alleged offence. Lane added, lie had liad three drinks and was perfectly sober. A doctor who explained that he had sat on many medical boards and examined many cases of people suffering years afterward from the effects of concussion, gave evidence that he found Lane perfectly sober. “I think this man might easily be arrested a-t any time and charged with being under the influence of drink, particularly if his breath smelt of alcohol,” the doctor observed.

Another doctor called for the defence gave evidence to the same effect. Lane was fined £lO and £5 5s costs for dangerous driving, with endorsement of licence.