DRUNK AT WHEEL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 6, 22 January 1937, Page 7

DRUNK AT WHEEL

Press Afi^ociatioa.)

Driver of Car in Which Three Were Killed EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

(By Telegrdph— •.

TAUMARUNUI, Jan. 31. The adjourned inquest to-day concerning the deaths of Gerald iflynn, Roy Victor Bishop and Charles William Farrell, who were burned to death in a raotor car which capsized near. Owhango at 8.B0 p.m. on Saturday January 16, was held before the coroner, Mr A. S. Laird. Chailes Alex Nicholl gave evidence that he saw Bishop, the owner of the car, in Taumarunui on Saturday, January 16, at about 4 p.m. Bishop was well drunk aud in no condition to drive a car Walter Henry Wilson, garage attendant, gave evidence that Bishop, at 8.30 p.m. on January 16, drove his car through the drive on the off side of the benzine pumps at a fast pace. If witness had not steppe'd hack he would have been knocked over by the car. Bishop got out of the car and was obviously under the influence of liquor and not in a fit state to difve ;ne car. There were others in the car, but witness did not know who they were. Witnesa did not notice whether Bfshop drove the car when he loft the garage as witness was busy. Constable Roderick MacLennan described the recovery of the bodies iiom the ruins of the car and their identification. Kobert Innes Whitelaw Mackenzie, motor salesman, giave. evidence that he saw Bishop intoxicated at thd garage at about 8.30 p.m. on January 16. Bisbop was driving the car when it arrived at the gaiage and went roimd to the driver'e side when about *o ltave but witness did not see Elm gfi into the car. It was possible, but improbable that he changed seats with another occupant of the car. The coroner's verdict was that the three men died from being burnt to death in a car which was driven by Bishop while not in a fit condition to drive.