REEFTON INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1928, Page 1

REEFTON INQUEST

(Inangahua Times.) The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Lewis M. Gardiner was re-opened at the Court House, Reefton, on Wednesday, before W. B. Auld, Esq., Coroner, and a jury comprising Afessrs N. Lawn (foreman), G. H. Neil,son, P. Colvin and E. McCaffrey. Dr. AY. A. Conlon stated:—ln answer to a telephone message sent from Rotokohu by Air Chas. Potter, who described the injury as being something of a serious nature, I met Air Potter and a stranger in another ear driving from Rotokohu towards Keei'ton. The deceased was then lying in Air Nankoville’s car. I examined the man and was of the opinion that tlic injury was a dangerous one. and 1 recommended that the patient be not disturbed but be driven to Reefton Hospital at once. I asked the driver of the ear to inform the police of the accident. I followed the car bearing tlie patient to the hospital and examined him more carefully when he was in bed. 1 noticed in addition to the unconsciousness there were abrasions on the left side of the temple and that the lips were coloured with blood, and blood seemed to be issuing from the throat. At this time I noticed a recent- scar at the neck as is made in tho operation for the removal of the thyroid gland. I noticed also that the patient was emaciated and very much under weight, and that the pulse rate was quickened unduly and not the kind ol pulse that should go with an injury to the head. At the same time I diagnosed concussion of the brain—possibly Iraclurc of the bones of the skull with pressure from bleeding. As in such cases it is impossible to decide definitely what is the actual condition that obtains, it is usual to wait and observe symptoms, it is recommended that at least twelve hours should transpire before definitely undertaking tlie serious, operation of opening the skull and looking for either depressed fracture or haemorrhage. T waited longer than this time and although L was still of the opinion that there might be pressure the patient’s condition im pm vert so much that f was forced to admit that the brain condition was not as serious as 1 lfad at first supposed, lie became conscious and was quite rational and had every appearance then that ho would recover as far as the head injuries were concerned. At this time the pulse, instead of improving, became worse, and hourly rapidly became much worse. .1 then realised that this man was suffering from profound shock, and that the constitutional disease from which he suffered, and for which the operation was undertaken. had become recrudcsceut as a result of this shock. Ho died from a dilated-weakoned heart caused primarily by tlie disease from which lie suffered. called ex-opthalmic goitre, and secondarily accelerated by the injury to the brain and shock. To tlie. Coroner; l said tlie scar was recent. To Sergl. Fryer: The injuries were consistent with a fall from a motor cycle. Owing to his weakened condition he was not fit to ride a motor cycle. T)r ('onion continuing said that every consideration of kindness was shown to the injured man by Air Chas. Rotter and Mr NnnkeviUe.

NnnkeviUe, sworn: 1 remember Sunday, April 29th. On that day I was driving a Chevrolet ear from Reefton towards Nelson. My wife wits in tlic car with me. .As T was passing through Rotokohu T met a motor cycle just on the approach to a hill past Air Hell s property. 1 did not see the motor cycle before I reached the hill. 1 accelerated slightly to climb Hie hill, and r had not got properly to the hill when 1 saw the head ol the motor cyclist coining towards me, 1 could not really estimate how far he was away when T first saw him ; it would be about four chains. 1 think he appeared to be travelling at a good speed. When 1 saw him I reduced speed and pulled on to the loft side of the road as far as T thought it was safe. I

left him approximately about five feet to pass me, the cyclist kept on coming

and a.s lie was passing struck the out-

side edge of my mudguard. The impact was very slight. I asked my wife to look back and see if lie had come off. When she replied “ A T cs,” 1 immediately stopped the car, and got out and went back and found him lying on the road. He was lying practically in the centre of the road. The motor car was more on the left hand side of the road. I picked him up and carried him to the side of the road. I sent Airs NnnkeviUe to Air Bell’s [dace for assistance. In the meantime Air Chas. Potter came along with a service car. and I asked him to telephone for. a doctor. AI y wife proceeded with Air Potter back to Reefton. I got tlie patient into tlie back seat of my car with the assistance of AH- Potter and his friend. Air Potter then went away to ring for tlie doctor. 1 followed in my ear with the injured man in it. We met the doctor about half way to Reefton. He ordered the injured man to the hospital. I bare since learned that the patient died. Where the accident took place the road is very narrow, and at the lime of the accident there was a fair amount of loose shingle lying about. As far as I remember the wheel tracks at this point

on tho road are well to the left. I allowed about live feet in width for the motor cyclist to pass, and this should have given him ample room if he bad reduced bis speed at this point. The cause of the accident was inisjudgment of distance. At the speed ho was travelling it would have been dangerous to have gone on to the loose shingle. Ho kept to the wheel track and did not pull out of it. The hill is a dangerous one, as it is narrow at the bottom and you cannot see any vehicle approaching from the other direction, and loose shingle would increase tlie danger. I consider a danger signpost should lie placed at this point. I hold a motor driver’s license issued at Greymouth. I would like to endorse the doctor’s remarks re Air Potter, who gave every assistance. Constantino Alangos, Lydl, stated Unit about 9.20 a.m. on April 29th, a motor cyclist arrived in front of my place at Lyell and dismounted and asked my son for assistance to wheel the cycle close to the verandah. He seemed very weak and absolutely fatigued. He asked for morning tea, which was provided. After he had some tea, and during the course of conversation, 1 asked him if he was ill, and lie said ho was very ill and had undergone a serious operation for goitre. 1 asked if he did not consider it very unwise to ho motor cycling in that state of health, and he agreed with me, and said he had difficulty in controlling the motor cycle, hut lie wanted to get to Hokitika that night. He said lie had fallen off the cycle three miles above the Lyell. He slaved about 10 minutes, and when leaving had to be assisted on to the machine. T. saw the motor cycle again last night, and identified it as the one ridden by him. I did not know him, but during the conversation lie told mo his name. To the Coroner: The cycle was in good order ; it was a. new one. Henry Fryer, Sergeant of Police at Reefton, stated that on April 29th, I was informed by tlie witness Nankeville, that lie had an accident at Rotokohu and that a motor cyclist was seriously injured and was then in hospital. I accompanied Air Nankeville to Rotokohu, where he pointed out to me the scene of tho accident. .1 found it to be on a slight rise known as Boll’s bill. It lias a grade of one in eight, and is about, four chains in length and is 13 feet wide, and the wheel ruts are to the left. When travelling north the left hand track

is three feet from the water table, and the right hand wheel track is five feet- from the water table. With tho exception of the wheel track it is all loose shingle. NnnkeviUe pointed out how far lie had to pull out to the left when the motor cyclist was passing him. The distance showed lie was down a foot or ISin to the left of the wheel track. I found a pool of blood in the right hand track, which Nankoville told me had come from deceased’s injuries'. 1 examined Nnnkevillc’s car and found a dent in the right hail'd n Hid guard which had been made by tho handle liar of the deceased’s machine. I later examined the motor cycle and found that tho rubber on tlic right band, grip was broken, tlic lamp was damaged, the front number plate bent, tin' rubber oil the right hand loot-rest was missing, and the front brake was disconnected. T concur with AH Nankeville on tho condition of the hill whore the accident occurred.

Without retiring the jury returned the following verdict:—“That the deceased met his death by a fall from a motor cycle on the Bailor Road on April 29th through slightly touching a travelling motor car; that lie was not in a- fit state of health to ride a motor cycle; and in the opinion of this jury immediate steps should be taken by the authorities controlling the road lo protect travellers by having a suitaide'signpost erected at the spot where the accident happened. No blame is attachable to anyone.”