MOTOR FATALITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10609, 7 June 1920, Page 5

MOTOR FATALITY

MR COMBS'S DEATH CORONIAL INQUIRY CONTINUED AND ADJOURNED. The coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr William Combs, who died from injuries received through being knocked down by a motor lorry in Jervois quay on Monday evening last, was continued before Mr IV. G. Riddell, SAL, at the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. Senior-Sergeant Kelly conducted the proceedings for the police. Mr O. A. L. Treadwell appeared tor the widow of the deceased, and Air It. E. Evans for Messrs Inghs Bros., the owners of tho motor-lorry concerned in the fatality.

SPEED OF THE LORRY. Victor Salek, merchant, said tho .lorry was ooing at about -0 miles per hour. There was a motor-car going in the same direction, and there was nearly a collision. A man on the lorry sitting next to tho driver, seized Ihe wheel and swerved tho lorry over. Witness had to run back to pet out of the road of the lorry. There was no sign of the lorry having skidded. In his opinion, an express was the cause of the' trouble. , . , Air Evans: Would you he surprised to hear that the speed of the lorry was only between six and eight pules an hour? —T estimated the speed at about 15 miles per hour, but It is possible that I over-estimated it. •Mr Treadwell: You seem to have taken an interest in the occurrence? Yes. I knew something would happen at the rate they were going. The lorry appeared to slaeken speed TOO yards before it reached the scene of the accident. . , In answer to further questions, the witness said he did not hear an alarm sounded from the lorry. He was a licensed motor-driver and had a knowledge of speed. DRIVER QUITE SOBER.

William Allan, motor-lorry driver, said that he was driving to a Harbour Board shed in Jervois quay when his attention was attracted by someone calling out, and he then saw Inglis Bros, lorry strike the two men and knock them over. It was going at freon eight to ten miles an hour, and was pulled up in its own length. He did not hear a horn sounded. Senior-Sergeant Kelly: Was the driver of Inglis Bros.’ lorry sober ?-Yes.

Henry Michael Albert, a. carter, said he saw the lorry travelling along Jervois quay, and considered it Was going on the fast side. The driver could have seen the two men. Witness did not notice the lorry slacken speed until after the accident, and he did not hear a horn sounded.

Afc this stage the inquiry was ad journed until 9.30 a.m. to-day.