DIED OF BROKEN NECK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 114, 31 May 1937, Page 8

DIED OF BROKEN NECK

—Press Assooiatien.)

Motorist Who Plunged Into Gorge INQUEST HELD

(Bf Tel«»raph

PALMERSTON N, This Day. A verdict that Victor Arthur Johnston, commercial traveller, of Mornington, Jsland Bay, Wellington, mei his death on the night of May 17 when his car fell into the Manawatu xirer, death being caused by a broken neck, was returned by the Coroner, Mr. J. D. Wilson, of Pahiatua, at au inquest held in Woodville yesterday afternoon. The inquest followed the finding of Johnston 's body at 10.25 on Saturday morning by Mr. W. Brockie, gorge caretak?r. He found it at a point 30 chains ifrom the Ashhurst end of the gorge, on 'the left-hand bank of the river, and 150 (feet below the road. The head showed for two inches above the water, the ,body being iu an upright position against a big rock. This spot was about three and a-half miles from the scene of the car's fatal plunge through the railings at the approach to the Ballance bridge. Any suggestion there had been that the driver of the car was not Johnston was dispelled when James J. Young, draper, of Woodville, who had known deceased for several years gave evidence of identification. Alan Hector McLean, public works employee, told of his discovery of the broken rails and the submerged car eariy on the morning of May 18. Having examined the body after it was recovered from the river, Dr. P. H. Mules said the neck had been broken, in his opinion, before the car hit the water. Death had been instantaneous. Constable L. Skinner gave evxuence of arriving on the scene on the morning of May 18. Skid marks measured on the bitumen extended for 49 yards *.o the point where the car went over the bank, travelled nearly 70 feet before it struck earth again, went another • 17 feet on to a pumice bluff, and from there rolled 20 feet down to the water where it was found submerged except for six inches showing above the river. William Charles Coldicutt, hotelkeeper, of Pahiatua, said that Johnston left his hotel by car at 5.45 on May 17, saying that he was going to Dannevirke for dinner. Witness thought he must have been the last man to see him a.- j. Constable Skinner pointed out in evidence that it had been reported to him by a transport" lorry driver that he aoticed the'fence broken away at 11 p.m. on May 17. The tragedy therefore occurred at some time previous to that, but there was notlimg to show where deceased had been since leaviug his liOtel at Pahiatua. Except for his wife and child, deceased had no known relatives in New Zealand, said Mrs. Lyons, of Berhampore, Wellington, a cousin of Mrs. Johnston, in giving evidence. He had been married for 12 years and had an eleven-year-old daughter. Witness had •known for 18 years and had always found him a very steady, sober man. She had never known him the worse .or liquor. His married lif e was ha^ j and his first consideration had always been s for his wife and child. Mr. Lyons, who was present, expressed the thanlis of deceased's wiuow for the caTe and attention with which Constable Skinner and other police had made their inquiries and conducted the search for the body. Constable Skinner paid a tribute to the services of Mr. Brockie, who he declared had been prompt and eliicient in his aid. Jt was not the first time he had rendered valuable asisstance lowing an accident in the gorge. The coroner returned a verdict as stated.