Fatal collision

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 35

Fatal collision

Paragraphs were jumbled in reports of three inquests published in yesterday’s edition of “The Press.” The reports are published in correct form below. The error is regretted. COLLISION WITH TRUCK The Coroner found that Kathleen Trett, aged 70, died on February 18 from miltiple injuries suffered when her car was involved in a collision with a truck at the intersection of Harewood Road and Johns Road. Traffic Officer Patrick Goodall said Mrs Trett had stopped at a “Stop” sign on Johns Road before proceeding through the intersection into the path of a truck. Traffic Officer Goodall said there were eight independent witnesses to the accident. The traffic officer questioned the truck driver, Mr George Jonathon, who described Mrs Trett driving into his path. Mr Jonathon braked heavily but his truck skidded into the side of Mrs Trett’s car. Traffic Officer Goodall said he believed no blame could be attached to Mr Jonathon. Dr Leonard Treadgold said he considered Mrs Trett’s death resulted from multiple injuries. MOTOR-CYCLE DEATH A motor-cyclist died from injuries suffered when his machine collided with an oncoming car which turned in front of him. the Court heard. Mr Mac Lean found that Gregory Richard Scott Brook, aged 22, died at

Christchurch Hospital from multiple severe injuries suffered in an accident on October 19 at the intersection of Marshland Road and Prestons Road. Traffic Officer Patricia Cross said Mr Brook was riding his motor-cycle north along Marshland Road about 7.30 p.m. when the collision occurred. “As he crossed the Prestons Road intersection he collided with a motor-car which had approached from the opposite direction and was making a right turn into Prestons Road. “The accident occurred in a 70km/h restricted area with darkness approaching. It was established that the deceased’s motor-cycle lights were on.” Traffic Officer Cross said the driver of the car, Geoffrey Michael Bryant, was charged in the District Court with careless driving causing death. The charge was dismissed. Dr Patrick Kelleher’s post-mortem examination showed death resulted from multiple severe injuries. Questioned by the victim’s father, Mr Roger Brook, Traffic Officer Cross said that given the lighting at the intersection, she considered the car driver should have seen objects such as a pedestrian or motor-cycle.

Mr Brook: “You have seen all the evidence. Can you think of any reliable evidence whatsoever that suggest the the headlight may not have been opera-

tional?” Traffice Officer Cross: “The only evidence that would have been given on that would have been Mr Bryant’s evidence that he did not see the light.” Mr Mac Lean in his finding said it was clear Mr Brook was in no way to blame for the accident. CAR HIT POLE A man died when the vehicle he was passenger in struck a concrete power pole on McLeans Island Road, east of Peacock Springs, late on September 24. The Coroner was told that Dr John Pettit’s postmortem examination indicated Robert John Nash, aged 23, died from multiple traumatic injuries in an accident which occurred about 11.38 p.m. Traffic Officer Bruce Lambie said Mr Nash had been drinking with friends at the Yaldhurst Hotel on the evening of his death. He left in a car driven by Maurice Noel Coppart, intending to travel to Belfast. Traffic Officer Lambie said the car failed to take a moderate right-hand bend. Mr Coppard was convicted in the District Court of driving with an excess blood-alcohol level and careless driving causing death. He was sentenced to six months periodic detention and banned from driving for three years. Mr Mac Lean found that Mr Nash died in McLeans Island Road from multiple traumatic injuries suffered when the car struck the pole.