OPEN VERDICT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1938, Page 8

OPEN VERDICT

DEATHS OF ARTILLERYMEN NEAR TAIHAPE

RECENT ARMY LORRY TRAGEDY.

NO FLAW FOUND IN BRIDGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TAIHAPE, December 20. An inquest of the victims of the Hihitahi Bridge tragedy—B. W. Colwell, A. W. Davidson, L. J. Bourke and A. T. Moore —who lost their lives at midnight on November 19, when an Army lorry returning to Waiouru with fifteen artillerymen crashed into the river when crossing the bridge spanning the Hautapa stream, was concluded before the Coroner. Mr E. Loader, at Taihape today. Four men lost their lives and seven were injured in the crash. Dr. N. A. Foden, of the' Crown Law Office, Wellington, appeared for the police, and associated with him were Inspector J. Lander ( Wanganui) and Sergeant J. M. Mcßae (Taihape). Mr R. C. Ongley appeared for Hobson, the 'driver of the lorry. The coroner returned a verdict that Gunners Colwell and Bourke died from drowning. Davidson met his death from injuries received when he was pinned down by the lorry. Moore died in the public hospital in Taihape from injuries received in the accident. Evidence in addition to that published yesterday was as follows: — Norman Lyi.li, civil engineer, Public Works Department, residing in Wanganui, said he visited the scene of the accident at 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 20. He could find nothing in the wreckage to indicate a flaw in the bridge. The main strut on the righthand side was missing. A piece of the end strut was used on the fire lit at the scene of the accident. The bridge in question was of the home truss type, which stood up to the job well. There were many similar bridges in New Zealand. Witness said that the annual inspection of the bridge took place in March this year. No defects were noticeable. There was another examination two months ago. There was nothing to indicate that the bridge would collapse when the lorry went on it. There was a possibility that if the strut was broken the whole bridge would collopse. If there did happen to be a defect in a vital part that would also account for the collapse. His* examination revealed no such defect. He could find no wheel marks within 30 feet of the bridge, but there was a mark within 60 feet.

To Mr Foden: If the lorry got on to the bridge and the back of the vehicle struck a main strut it might dislodge it. Major R. S. Park said that the artillerymen were under the orders of Lance-Bombardier Autridge on the day in question. He had something to do with the investigation of the accident from the staff point of view. He agreed that to embark upon theories of what caused the collapse of the bridge would involve a theoretical and technical inquiry. To the coroner: The men were on a day’s holiday with the exception of the driver. The bombardier and men on the lorry were subject to military law. Dr. Foden pointed out that the, cause of the collapse of the bridge did not come within the scope of a coronial inquiry. The Public Works Department and the military authorities were looking into the technical side. There was no suggestion of criminal neglect on the part of the driver. The coroner complimented the police, medical practitioners, hospital staff and others who assisted at the time of the tragedy and expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. Major Park, on behalf of the military authorities, thanked all those who had rendered assistance.