MOTOR’ FATALITY
INQUEST AT MASTERTON. VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH. “It is with deep regret that this Court records the passing of such a well known and highly respected young man. The sympathy of the Court, officials, police officers and the whole ol the community will go out to the relatives," stated Mr E. G. Eton, District Coroner, in returning a verdict that William Henry Gemmell. aged 20 years, and an employee of the Department of Justice, Wellington, had been accidently killed when his motor-cycle collided with a telegraph pole in Renall Street, Masterton, on Saturday morning. "It is also with deep regret that we record the death of this young man through a motor-cycle accident," said Mr Eton. He pointed out that motorcycles were dangerous and easily got out of hand. He hoped that the accident would be a warning to all motorcyclists during the holiday periods in the near future. “The deceased was perfectly sober but must have lost control of'his machine,” he added. Senior-Sergeant Doggett conducted the police enquiries. Formal evidence of identification was given by Mr T. H. Horton, who stated that the late Mr Gemmell had spent the evening playing cards at his residence on the Upper Plain road. Mr E. M. Downes, a garage foreman, of 152 Renall Street, stated that he had found the body of the deceased at the base of a power pole after having been awakened by a crash at 4.55 o'clock this morning. 'Hie sway cl' the telegraph wires shook his house and gave him to understand something had collided with a telegraph pole. He visited the scene of the accident and summoned medical assistance and the Dr. N. I-I. Prior in giving medical evidence stated that the deceased had suffered severe head injuries and had been killed instantly. Constable J. G. Fitzpatrick staled that the deceased had apparently veered from his correct side to his extreme right-hand side of the road. There were no other vehicles about al the time. The road surface was good. "The deceased appeared to have lost control of his motor-cycle " commented Mi' Eton. Senior-Sergeant Doggett stated the road surface had been examined and no obstructions had been found.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1940, Page 7
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364MOTOR’ FATALITY Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1940, Page 7
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