YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 264, 5 August 1935, Page 16

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

Killed In Motor Accident

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

Dominion Special Service.

Hastings, August 4,

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Leslie Arthur Draper, who was killed when his lorry overturned at Whakatu on the morning of Saturday, July 27, was held before Mr. George Ebbett, district coroner, yesterday. Sergeant Wade appeared for the police. Dr. A. D. S. Whyte said that in his opinion crushing of the chest was the cause of death. Colin Aubrey Thurlow, a member of the party on the lorry at the time of the accident, said that when the party left for Waipukurau to attend the fire brigade ball, there were two two-gallon ja-s of beer on the lorry. One of these was emptied at the ball, a good deal of it being drunk by other people who were not members of the party. “I had no more than four drinks, and they were all small glasses,” said witness. “I am certain that none of our party had more than this amount, and the girls did not have any. I did not seen Draper drinking, and I do not think that he had any at all. I have never seen him taking drink.” Witness added that shortly after leaving Waipukurau he went to sleep and slept until the accident occurred. He then found himself underneath the truck. On the way home witness, Draper, and Miss Oemcke were in the cab, the others being in the back of the vehicle. Allan Briggs and Richard Clement Charles Watkins, who were members of the party, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, Watkins adding that deceased complained of being sleepy. He was inclined to doze, and for this reason stopped near Te Arte College and had a walk round and a cigarette to freshen himself. He did this again before reaching Hastings, where they stopped to allow some passengers to alight. After leaving Hastings witness went to sleep and was awakened when the lorry turned over.

Constable Murray, of Clive, said that when he arrived on the scene of the accident none of the party appeared to be under the influence of liquor.

William Drapef. father of deceased, stated that his son had been to a dance on the night preceding the accident, and also had been out late on the night before that. Although a very capable driver, deceased at times was inclined to travel fast. Witness could say definitely that his son was a strict teetotaller, and he had never known him to have a drink.

On summing up the coroner said that the evidence proved that deceased had not had any intoxicating liquor. A verdict was returned that deceased was killed as the result of injuries caused by the overturning of the motor-lorry he was driving.