Truck dangers

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 2

Truck dangers

PA Rotorua A guide or “sentry” should be posted at the rear of reversing trucks during reading work, the Rotorua District Coroner (Mr R. H. Brewster) said at an inquest. He was inquiring into the death of Thomas Tamehana Whare, aged 58, married, of Ngongotaha, who died on June 8 after being run over by a truck loaded with sealing chips at Ngapuna. The Coroner said he saw the need for a safeguard to prevent similar accidents in future. He found that Mr Whare died as a result of the accident. Evidence was given that

Mr Whare, who was sweeping chips on the road, stepped out of the way of a roller into the path of the reversing truck. Mr E. Leach, a Labour Department safety inspector, said he had recommended that his department discuss with the Contractors’ Federation the suggestion that vehicles reversing while engaged in such work should have a guide. Mr Leach said his investigations showed that the truck driver would have had no chance of seeing Mr Whare, but a person appointed to watch the truck could have prevented the accident.