VERDICT OF ACCIDENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1939, Page 6

VERDICT OF ACCIDENT

INQUEST ON ROAD FATALITY VICTIMS. E. W. RENNER & W. POTTEN. (“Times-Age” Special.) A verdict that Eric William Renner was accidentally killed when the mo-tor-cycle he was riding collided with a telephone pole on the Belvedere Road was returned by the District Coroner, Mr E. G. Eton at the inquest in Carterton today. A verdict of accidental death as the result of injuries received while riding pillion on a motorcycle was returned in the case of William Potten.

In extending sympathy to the parents of the two victims, the Coroner said it was indeed unfortunate that two such promising youths should be lost to the community. Mr Eton added that he was satisfied that there was no sign of alcohol. “I regret to say that pillion riding has been the cause of many accidents,” the Coroner observed. “I am not prepared to say whether or not the accident was caused by excessive speed, but, judging by the impact, the motorcycle must have been travelling at a good speed. In my mind pillion riding should be abolished.” A number of witnesses were heard. Norman James Kennedy stated that on June 17 last he was at Mr H. O.Halloran’s house in Belvedere Road. He heard a motor cycle go past on the road proceeding west. He considered that it was not travelling fast. Riding his own motor-cycle home, Kennedy said, he passed the scene of the accident and noticed something lying on the south side of the road but did not pay any particular attention to it. Later, on hearing that Renner and Potter had not returned to their bach, he went back and found that an accident had occurred. He rode into Carterton and informed Dr. W. J. C. Wells and Constable W. Robertson. Evidence was given also by Jack Allen.

Constable Robertson said that on going to the scene of the accident he found that it had occurred about 200 yards west of the Belvedere Co-oper-ative Dairy Factory, and on the south side of the road, opposite Mr Buick’s dwelling. Dr. Wells had then examined Eric Renner and had pronounced life to be extinct. William Potter was in a serious condition. An ambulance was obtained and Potter was conveyed to the Masterton Hospital. Renner, witness stated, was 4 und lying alongside the fence, 10 1 .1 east of a concrete telephone pole, in some long grass and weeds. The front of the motor-cycle was badly damaged. It appeared that both riders had come in contact with the pole. The road was straight, with a good surface. It had a macadam surface 19 feet wide and on each side there was seven feet of soft ground with grass and weeds growing. The constable stated that he was of opinion the riders were travelling at a fast speed. Dr. Wells gave evidence as to the injuries received and attention given.