Not in Fit Condition to Drive

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 6

Not in Fit Condition to Drive

VERDICT IN TRIPLE OWHANGO TRAGEDY Per Press Association. TAUMARUNUI, Last Night. The inquest concerning the deaths ot Gerald Flynn, Roy Victor Bishop and Charles William Farrell, who were burned to death in a motor-car which capsized near Owhango at about 9.30 p.m. on Saturday last, was concluded before the Coroner, Air. A. S. Laird, to-day. Charles Alexander Nicholl gave evidence that ho saw Bishop, tho owner of the car, in Taumarunui on Saturday about 4 p.m. Bishop was then drunk and in no condition to drive a car. Walter Henry Wilson, garage attendant, said that Bishop, at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, drove his car through the drive on the off-side of the benzine j pumps at a fast pace. If witness had not stepped back he would have been knocked over. Bishop got out of the car aud was obviously under the influence of liquor and not in a lit state to dnve. There were others in the car, but witness did not know who they were. Witness did not notice whether Bishop drove the car when he left the garage, as he (witness) was ousy. Constable George Roderick AlacLennan described the recovery of the bodies from the ruins of the ear and their identification. Robert Innes Whitclaw MacKenzie, motor salesman, gave evidence that he saw Bishop intoxicated at a garage about 8.30 p.m. on {Saturday. Bishop was driving the car when it arrived at the garage and he went round to the driver’s side when about to leave, but witness did not see liim get into the car. It was possible, but improbable, that lie changed seats with another occupant of the car. A verdict was returned that the tliLe men died through being burnt to du.tli in the car, which was driven by Bishop while not in a fit condition to drive.