ROAD ACCIDENT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

ROAD ACCIDENT

DEATH OF WOMAN FOUND CRITICALLY INJURED TRUCK DECLARED INVOLVED (By TeJeyrapH.—special to Times) KAIKOHE, Thursday The adjourned inquest into the death of Mrs Florence Ellen Anderson, a Maori, aged 42, who was found critically injured near Kaikohe on the morning of June 1, was concluded today before the district coroner, Mr W. Shaw. The coroner returned a verdict that death was the result of injuries received through being struck by a motor-truck driven by John Edward Guy. Evidence was given by Dr. J. G. Frengley, medical superintendent of the Bay of Islands Hospital, that deceased’s injuries could have been caused by being struck by Guy’s lorry. Winnie Pou and Poi Shepherd stated that they saw a red truck pass through Kaikohe, travelling fast, about 1 a.m. It was similar to Guy’s truck.

Truck Heard To Stop William Andrews said that he was walking to Kaikohe from a dance. When near the overhead bridge he heard a truck approaching and heard brakes applied. It stopped for about a minute and then came on. It was a red truck with railed sides. Puke Maihi and Henry Dargaville, Maori youths, gave evidence that they left a dance at Kaikohe about 12.50 a.m. A red truck and a car passed them. Near the railway bridge they heard a woman groaning and found Mrs Anderson. John Edward Guy, builder, of Whangarei, on taking the witness box, refused to answer any questions put to him by Detective J. B. Finlay. Mr Finlay produced a statement made by Guy, which he had refused to sign on the advice of his solicitor. In the statement, continued the detective, Guy said he arrived at the Opononi Hotel at about 6.45 p.m. with Mr A. E. Hay. They had no more than three beers and left about 10.30 p.m. He drove all the way to Whangarei, arriving between 2.30 and 3 a.m. He could not recollect what time he went through Kaikohe, or seeing anyone under the railway bridge. Evidence of Passenger A. E. Hay, insurance agent, of Whangarei, said that when they left the hotel both were sober. They had had two glasses of beer each. They passed through Kaikohe at exactly midnight. He had remarked on this to Guy at the time. He said that the truck had not hit anyone. Detective Finlay said there was a skid mark at the scene of the accident for about 36ft. No tread was visible, owing to the wheel being locked, but clearly defined ridges were showing. The left rear wheel of Guy’s truck locked more easily than the right. The truck had no mud or dust on it as if it had been travelling.