DEATH IN CAR ACCIDENT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23913, 3 April 1943, Page 6

DEATH IN CAR ACCIDENT

CORONER’S COMMENT ON EVIDENCE

“MARKED INCONSISTENCIES” “There are certain marked inconsistencies j.T the evidence relating to events for some time prior to the accident. but they are not such as to preclude my finding the cause of death," said the Coroner (Mr F. F. Reid, S.M.) yesterday at the conclusion of an inquest into thp death of John Herbert Newton, a coal merchant, of 57 Mary street, Papanui, Newton was killed when a car driven by his son, Jock Newton, struck a telegraph pole at the corner of Hi? Main South road-and Curletfs road. Upper Riccarton, on February 6. . When the inquest was opened oi\ March 24 it was adjourned because three witnesses did not appear.. Yesterday evidence was given by Patricia E. Berry, of Yaldhurst. She raid that about 3,30 p.m. on February 6 a man called O’Malley and the Newtons called at her home. She was pro • sent when they had afternoon tea, but left the iiouse soon afterwards, The men had had liquor, but were not drunk.. They brought six bottles of beer from their car. She did not know what drink was consumed after she left. When she returned to the house about 6.30 p.m. the men had gone, and they did not return in the evening. Bertha Mary Berry, mother of the previous witness, said that Newton, accompanied by his son and’ O'Malloy, had afternoon lea at her home in Buchanan's road on February 6. She was unable to say how much beer was consumed on her premises, but thought the men took some away with them when they left between 5.30 p.m. and 6 o’clock. The Coroner; What was the men’s condition? Witness: Before they came to our place they were very “merry.” They had had a fair number of drinks. Senior-Sergeant J. Bickerdike (who represented the police): Can we take it that they only had tea at your place? ■ Witness: Definitely no; they had some beer. Replying to the Coroner. Mrs Berry said that when the men left the boy Newton was quite capable of driving a car. Senior-Sergeant Bickerdike: It would be untrue to say the men returned to your home after 6.30? Witness: Definitely. No one visited our'place during the evening. The Coroner; ‘ Were you warned to attend the previous inquest? Witness: Yes. The Coroner: You were not present? Witness: No. unfortunately. “Definitely Untrue”* The Coroner then read extracts from evidence given a", the previous inquest by Jock Newton, who stated that about 5.30 p.m. on February 6 he and his father, accompanied b.y O'Malley and Mrs Berry, had driven from Mrs Berry’s house to the Racecourse Hotel, where the party had consumed liquor. At 6 p.m. they returned to Mrs Berry’s house, where they remained until 11.30 p.m. Questioned by the Coroner about the truth of these statements. Mrs Berry said they were definitely untrue. According to evidence given by O’Mallpy, saic; the- Coroner, he and the Newtons left Mrs Berry's place about 11.10 p.m. This evidence also Mrs Berry declared to be untrue. Evidence about the accident, which occurred about midnight, was given b.y Sergeant B. Wootton, who found Newton lying on-the floor of the car. Both G’MallCy and Jock Newton were sitting on the .running-board of the car. which was extensively damaged, Jock Newton smelt slightly of liquor but was apparently sober. The Coroner returned a_verdict that Newton died at Christchurch on February 6 .from shock, after an internal haemorrhage caused by a penetrating wound of the heart, sustained when a car driven by; his son struck a telegraph post on the Main South, road. Mr R. P. Thompson represented Newton’s relatives.