HUTT BUS FATALITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 21 November 1927, Page 5

HUTT BUS FATALITY

INQUEST ON VICTIM,

CONFLICTING EVIDENCE.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, Nov. 21

The death >n hospital of Mrs Watson on October 17, as a result of injuries in a 'bus accident on the Hutt road, was the subject of an inquest held to-day by the Coroner, Mr. Riddell.

McCourtrie, assistant chief traffic inspector, said be examined tho 'bus shortly after the accident and took measurements showing the course < f the 'bus alter it hail left tho road. It would take three half seconds, at twenty miles an hour, iw said, for the 'bus to strike the post after leaving the track, and if the driver were in full possession of his faculties there would be absolutely no reason why he should not bring it back to its course is soon as it left the road To the question, “Then the accident was due either to the act of a madman, or to loss of faculties?” witness answered. “Yes.”

One pasnenger—they .were -ill women—said that just before the accident a packet of tickets fell down from beside the dnayr. Ho stooped to pick it up with his right hand, and he had not reached the tickets at the time of the smash. Pressed under cross-examination why she had not made this statement in her original statement to the police on the day of tho accident, witness said she considered rhe incident so important that she thought it should not be spoken o* until the pronorlv conducted inquiry where she would be on oath. She had not even told her husband.

The Coroner protected the witness, saying she had given u satisfactory reason.