Coroner's inquest into accidents

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 7

Coroner's inquest into accidents

Inquests into the deatns of three people were heard by District Coroner G.W. Harvey of Raetihi in the Ohakune District Court last week. Sergeant Neil Coker of Ohakune appeared for the police. Malcolm Bowring The death of 20-year old Malcolm Bowring, of Raetihi on 1 January this year was found to be the result of multiple extensive injuries following the deceased's motorcycle running into a power pole. Court heard from companion, Shane Paul Billington, how he and Bowring had ridden their motorcycles to the Ruatiti Domain and once there had drank 3 or 4 bottles of beer. They returned to Raetihi between 4-5 p.m. They travelled south on State Highway 4 at a speed of 90 km/h, with Billington in the lead. Bowring overtook Billington on the righthand side and pulled in front. Once in front he seemed to slow down; Billington passed him. Bowring went into gravel on the side of the road and collided side-on with a concrete power-pole. He flipped off the motorcycle and his crash helmet came off. Ohakune Police Sergeant Neil Coker reported that he attended the accident at 6.25 p.m, which occurred

300 metres north of the intersection with SH49. He found an ambulance and members of the public in attendance. The deceased's motorcycle was lying on its side, extensively damaged. The weather was fine, roadway dry and visibility good. He said the area of road where the accident occurred was subject to a 50 km/h speed limit. He said during his inspection of the vehicle he could find no current Warrant of Fitness and was of the opinion that it was poorly maintained. At the time of the accident, deceased was a disqualified driver and was disqualified for 9 months on a charge of dangerous driving. A post mortem report from a pathologist of Wanganui Hospital, Dr Burkinshaw, found deceased to have 261 milligrams alcohol/100 millilitres of urine. Jungwirth The coroner found that Josef Jungwirth 57, production engineer and his wife Ingwalde Gertrude Anna 58, housewife, both of Wanganui, died on 14 February, as a result of traumatic injuries received in a motor accident. Evidence was heard from Kenneth Summerhays, parts manager of Raetihi, who was passing by shortly after the accident. Court heard how he was

driving south towards Horopito with his brother, at about 12il0 p.m. They came over the bridge heading towards Horopito and saw two ladies running from their parked vehicle back towards a yellow vehicle on its side in the southbound lane. He saw one person trapped under the vehicle, who appeared to be dead and the driver trapped inside: He and passers-by righted the car and attempted to save the driver who had a pulse. They attempted to pull the front dash board away from his legs but were unable to do so. Dr Valance, a former Raetihi doctor was passing on his way to Taupo. He stopped and examined both occupants. He confirmed both were then dead and left the scene. Constable John Fraser of Ohakune reported that he attended the scene of the accident at about 12.15 p.m, situated on SH4 north of Horopito. The vehicle was in a semi-demolished state and both occupants dead. As a result of police enquiries made, it was ascertained that there were no independent witnesses to the accident. From observations and enquiries made at the site by Constable Fraser, it was established the vehicle was travelling north along a

straight section of road towards National Park. The car failed to negotiate a slow bend to the left; it crossed the centre line, travelled into the south bound land and left the road. It then travelled about 10 metres off the road and ran head-on into a large boulder on the side of the road. The weather was fine, road dry and visibility good. There was apparently no other vehicles involved and no evidence to suggest alcohol was involved. A report by the vehicle inspector from the Ministry of Transport found no mechanical fault.