TAITA GORGE FATALITY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 71, 17 December 1928, Page 13

TAITA GORGE FATALITY

INQUEST CONTINUED. Further evidence was given before the Coroner (Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M.) in the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning at the inquest concerning the death of Joseph O’Neill, who died in the Wellington Public Hospital from head injuries received when a taxi in which he was a passenger left the road and went over a bank in the Taita Gorge early in the morning of December 3. Ernest Walter Sergent, the driver of the vehicle concerned, continuing his evidence, said that it was very foggy In the gorge at the time of the accident. Witness, however, was not feeling sleepy. When the accident occurred deceased was in a very intoxicated condition.

Sergeant J. W. McHolm said that when Sergent called at the Lower Hutt Police Station to report the accident on the morning of December 3 he was quite sober. When witness saw the driver he could see no signs of liquor on him. Later that day Dr. Parr, who had gone to the accident, certified to the sobriety of the driver after the accident.

The inquest was adjourned until 9 o’clock this morning.