A MOTOR FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1921, Page 4

A MOTOR FATALITY.

MANGOREI FARMER KILLED.

HORSE COLLIDES WITH CAK.

An accident which ended fatally occurred on the Junction Road, near New Plymouth, on Saturday evening, William Hannah, a farmer, aged 67 years, who resides on the Mangorei Road, succumbing at the hospital to injuries sustained in a collision with a motor car.

After a visit to New Plymouth Han-t nah was proceeding home on horseback, via the Junction Road, and about six o’clock, at a spot some chains over the Henui bridge, he collided with a motor car driven by Frank L. Wheeler, chaffeur in the employ of Mr. C. H. Burgess, Wheeler being the only occupant of the car. Hannah was thrown clear, and when Wheeler pulled up he found him lying unconscious. A passing motorist conveyed Hannah to the public hospital, but he died a few minutes after admission. There were no outward signs of injury on the body. The horse was carried about seventeen paces by the ear, and was killed, evidently receiving a gash in the throat from the machine, as the animal’s head was resting on the top of the windscreen. The front of the car was badly damaged, and the two lamps and windscreen were smashed, appearances indicating a head-on collision.

The scene of the accident was along a winding piece of the road, part of which is bordered by a high bank. Wheeler was coming into town, and on rounding a bend was suddenly confronted by the horseman, who, it is stated, was on his wrong side of the road, close into the bank. The motorist, who is regarded as a very careful and efficient driver, had both lights going, and stated that he wna travelling about twenty miles an hour on his right side of the road. Hannah, who was a married man, was well known in the district. An inquest will be held to-day -bv the Coroner (Mr. C. R. Orr Walker,' SM).