FATAL ACCIDENT ON RICCARTON ROAD

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26491, 4 August 1951, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT ON RICCARTON ROAD

CORONER’S VERDICT AT INQUEST

“There was no element of excessive speed or of negligence on the part of Mr Wagstaff, driver of the car. It seems to be a case of death by misadventure,” said the Coroner (Mr F. F. Reid), at the inquest yesterday into the death of Edward Haldane, aged 59. A verdict was returned that Haldane died on July 18, the cause of death being hemorrhage due to a fracture of the pelvis and a tearing of the great vessels, the injury being sustained when he was struck by a motor-car driven by John Arthur Wagstaff.

John Arthur Wagstaff, a labourer, said he was driving nis car west along Riccarton road about 7.10 p.m. on July 18. Just near the shopping area a pedestrian appeared in front of the car and he did not see him until he appeared in the beam of the lights, which were dipped. He swerved to his right and applied the brakes but could not avoid the man, who was struck by the left front of the car. There was a misty rain and visibility was poor.

Kenneth George Woods, a metal polisher, said he was standing on the footpath when a car passed. It was about five to ten yards past him when he saw a man struck bv the car. He had not seen the man previously and did not know where he came from. The car was travelling at a moderate speed and as near as practicable to its left of the road. Dr. W. R. Holmes, a house surgeon at the Christchurch Public Hospital, said that Haldane died in the hospital on tl?e night of July 18. Death From Heart Failure The Coroner returned a verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence, that Simon O’Connor, seed 65, died on July 27 from heart failure. Sergeant R. Hart conducted proceedings for the police.