YOUNG GIRLS DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 619, 22 March 1929, Page 11

YOUNG GIRLS DEATH

STRUCK BY POLE ON PASSING LORRY DRIVERS GIVE EVIDENCE (From Our Own Correspondent J W H AKA TAN E, Thursday. Further evidence concerning the death of Lola Marcia Warn, aged 17. who died from injuries received by being struck by a tentpole projecting from a motorlorry, was given at the inquest today. Frederick William Hamilton said he was one of a party of seven which left Taneatua to go to the pictures at Whakatane. After the pictures they started on the return trip. Percy Trickett, Etta Brown, Lola Warn, and witness were sitting in the back seat. "THERE WAS A CRASH" The car was travelling at between 25 and 30 miles an hour, George Kiddie was driving. Just before they got to the lorry he felt a swerve. As the lorry passed there was a crash, and the girl fainted. The car proceeded for 10 or 15 yards, then pulled

Witness went to the river to wet a handkerchief, thinking Miss Warn had merely fainted. On his return he discovered the girl was unconscious. He hurried to Kiddie, and told him to take Miss Warn to the hospital. Witness was injured to some extent. The right sleeve of his coat was torn, and he received scratches on the forearm. His coat was torn under the right armpit, and a wound was inflicted there. He did not know what struck him. At the time of the crash they were all laughing and joking in the back seat. Other members of the party corroborated witness’ statement. DRIVER’S EVIDENCE George Kiddie, taxi proprietor, of Ruatoki, said he was engaged to convey the party. The lorry was fully 200yds away when he first noticed it. It was about two chains away when he saw it was a loaded lorry of a travelling show. Witness was travelling on the left side of the road, and the lorry was travelling on the crown of the road. The lorry did not alter its course at all, and witness swerved off to the left as far as he considered was safe. Witness was travelling at the rate of 25 to 28 miles an hour. He noticed timber and piping overhanging from the lorry. The lorry did not give way. When he heard the crash he pulled up in about 15 yards. The car did not skid in the direction of the lorry. After the crash he walked back along the road and found a banner, with the sign of a travelling show, some piping badly buckled, and various pieces of timber lying on the road. One of the boys said Miss Warn was cut in the back. Witness went straight to the hospital.

“LIKE PISTOL SHOTS” Frederick Edmund Willoughby, showman, said when he saw Kiddie’s car coming toward him it was moving at a fairly rapid pace. Witness pulled the lorry to the side of the road. As the car passed the lorry he heard two reports like pistol shots, but at the time he did not think anything serious had happened. His assistant then told him the ropes on the lorry were broken. Witness drove 200 yards further on to a good stopping place, and then found the stanchions of the lorry were broken, and some of the gear was missing. He went back, and gathered up the missing gear. Kiddie’s car was travelling a little to the left of the road, near the hill, while witness’ lorry was travelling to the left of the centre of the road, by the riverside. Witness picked up the tent-pole on the road. The car and lorry must have passed very close. It was a wonder they did not collide. There was plenty of room for two cars to pass each other in safety, even if witness’ load was overhanging 2ft. Witness was travelling at not more than 10 or 12 miles an hour. Dr. Appleby described the nature of the girl’s wounds. He said the right lung was penetrated, three of the ribs being broken, and the spinal column severed. The inquest was then adjourned.