CAPSIZE OF LORRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 16

CAPSIZE OF LORRY

HORSES CAUSE FATALITY JURY EXONERATES DRIVER (Special to THE SUN) ROTORUA, Tuesday. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Hare Wirikoke, who died as the result of injuries received by the capsizing of a Public Works Department’s lorry on the Whakatane Road on September 10, was held today before Mr. W. L. Richards, actingcoroner. Mr. H. Gillies, of Hamilton, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Public Works Department. Dr. Hay said deceased was suffering from severe head injuries and other injuries about the body. Abraham To Moni said he was a lorry-driver, and was employed by the Public Works Department on September 10. He had since been dismissed. The deceased accompanied him on the journey to the camp on that date. They had several drinks before they left town. When they reached the 13-mile peg some horses were overtaken. One of them ran across the road, and, in trying to avoid the horse, the lorry went over the road and overturned. He was travelling at about 15 to 20 miles an hour.

The verdict returned was that deceased died from injuries through the lorry overturning, no blame being attachable to the driver. A. rider was added requesting that the County council s attention be drawn to the number of horses straying on the road.