FARM HAND’S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 9

FARM HAND’S DEATH

STRUCK BY MOTOR-CAR MANY MONTHS IN HOSPITAL An inquest into the death of Peter Davis, a farm hand, aged 19, who died in the Waikato Hospital on August 16 last, more than twelve months £fter being struck by a motor-car near Waharoa, was held before the coroner, Mr F. W. Platts, yesterday. The accident occurred on the main highway between Morrinsville and Matamata on March 5, 1939, and from then until the time of his death Davis was an inmate of the Waikato Hospital. At the inquest the relatives were represented by Mr A. L. Tompkins. James Anderson said that on March 5, 1939, when driving on the Mor-rinsville-Matamata highway, about one and *:-half miles from Waharoa, he saw two youths riding their cycles ahead of him. They were on tljeir correct side of the road, and as witness was overtaking one of them skidded and landed in front of the car. Although witness applied the brakes immediately he was unable to avoid the collision with Davis, who was removed to the Matamata Hospital and later to the Waikato Hospital. Witness was advised that Davis died on August 16, 1940, Injured Man’s Statement A statement made by Davis when he was in the Waikato Hospital on March 17, 1939, was produced by Constable J. D. Hedley. In the statement Davis said that he was well on his correct side of the road when his bicycle skidded and he fell on to the bitumen. He must have been dazed or unconscious for he did not remember anything until he was removed to the Matamata Hospital. Dr. C. N. D’Arcy, of the Waikato Hospital, said in a statement that when Davis was admitted he was suffering from a fractured spine. His legs were paralysed and he had abrasions. He never regained the use of his limbs and his conditions was hopeless all along. Death was a result of the injuries he had received.

It was quite clear from the evidence, said the coroner, that it was a pure accident, and a verdict was returned that Davis died as a result of injuries received when he was riding his cycle near Waharoa.