INQUESTS AT HUNTLY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 May 1938, Page 8

INQUESTS AT HUNTLY

LEVEL CROBBINQ FATALITY MOTOR-CYCLIST STRIKES TRAIN (Special to Times) HUNTLY, Thursday An inquest concerning the death of Samuel Willis (50) who was killed at a level crossing at Ohinewai on April 14 when the motor-cycle he was riding collided with a north-bound special train, was held at the Courthouse, Huntly. to-day. William Alexander Bryce, foreman of the Waikato County Council said deceased was a grader driver employed by the council at Te Kauwhata. He last saw deceased alive about 5 p.m. on April 14 when he was riding his motor-cycle home. The driver of the train, Lewis Harold Bennett, said at 5.25 p.m. he was driving a special train from Rotorua to Auckland when the engine struck a motor-cycle at a level crossing about half-a-mile north of the Ohinewai station. The engine whistle was sounded about 300 yards from the crossing and the fireman again sounded it when almost on the crossing. Despite the fact that the brakes were applied immediately, the engine struck the cycle. The train, when approaching the crossing, was travelling at between 40 and 50 miles per hour. The coroner, Mr F. Harris, returned a verdict that deceased met his death as a result of a fractured skull caused when his motor-cycle came into collision with a train at the Ohinewai level crossing. No blame was attachable to the driver of the train.

GUN SHOT WOUND ACCIDENTAL DEATH (Special to Times) HUNTLY, Thursday A verdict of accidental death was returned by the coroner at the inquest into the death of David Fulton (24), single, who was found shot at Waiterimu on May 2. James Allen Brash, a farmer, said that he joined the search party which was looking for the deceased. They found tlie body lying by the boundary fence on Fulton's farm. A double Darrel shot gun was lying across the body. Dr. A. B. Jameson staled that death was caused by a shot from a shot gun. A verdict that David Fulton met his death by a shot wound in the head occasioned by the accidental discharge of a gun carried by him, was returned.