FATAL FALL FROM CAR

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20983, 11 October 1933, Page 10

FATAL FALL FROM CAR

CORONER'S COMMENT AT INQUEST The opinion that the driver of the car had made an error of judgment in giving McPherson a ride on the running board of his car was expressed by the Ashburton district coroner (Mr R. Clark) at the inquest into the death of John McPherson, aged 54, employed by Mr T. S. Harrison, of Methven, who died on Friday of injuries received when he fell from the running board of a car driven by Leslie Thomas Fechney when returning from the Methven races on September 30. A verdict that death was due to laceration of the brain following a fracture of the skull caused by accidentally falling off the running board of the car was returned. The driver of the car was represented by Mr J. W. M. Dart. George Abbott, a labourer, employed by Mr T. S. Harrison, said that he and McPherson were walking home from the Methven trotting meeting on September 30 and after travelling three miles were picked up by Mr Fechney, witness standing on the left running board and McPherson on the other side of the car. The car had just travelled two or three chains from where it stopped when McPherson fell off. Witness knew of nothing which caused him to fall off the car. In answer to the coroner, witness said that Mr Fechney did not give them an invitation to get on the car. Mr Fechney stopped, and McPherson and witness took his action as an offer of a ride.

Leslie Thomas Fechney, driver of the car, said that there was no room inside his car for Abbott or son, so they got on to the running boards. McPherson had one arm and his head inside the car and said he was all right. When witness put the car into top gear McPherson fell back and rolled over twice. Dr. A. J. Mason, medical superintendent of the Ashburton Public Hospital, said McPherson did not regain consciousness after admission to the hospital and died on Friday, death being due to laceration of the brain consequent upon a fracture of the base of the skull.