SEARCH FOR HIT-ANDRUN DRIVER

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 12

SEARCH FOR HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER

Story of Police Efforts EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND INQUEST By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 24. Tlie fact that the movements of 450 mootrists had been investigated in an attempt to locate a hit-and-run driver was revealed at the inquest into the death of a motor-cyclist, John Crump Willard Carlisle, farm hand, aged 21. of Tauwhare, near. Hamilton, who died in the Auckland Hospital a.s a result of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car which did not stop on the Great South Road at Takaniui on October 24.

A tribute to tlie police efforts was paid by Mr. F. A. Carlisle, Waiuku. father of deceased.

An eye-witness of the accident, Joint Kingston, said he was riding his bicycle and stopped to speak to Carlisle as he was repairing his motor-cycle at the side of the road. Witness was stooping down to pick up his bicycle to leave when he noticed a motor-car approaching near the edge of the road at about 40 to 50 miles an hour. The car appeared to strike the right handlebar of the motor-cycle as Carlisle was in Hie act of kicking over the engine, witness continued. "Deceased was thrown against the side of the car. which swerved slightly to the right ami continued on along the road. Deceased was carried about 15 yards and fell unconscious on Hie road with bis motorcycle on top of him. There was no other traflice about. The evening was still light and there was ample room for the motorist to have avoided deceased.”

“We have been unable to trace the driver responsible for tlie accident," said Detective Allsopp. “Hundreds of cars have been inspected without result. In fact, 450 cars and tlie movements of the drivers on the night of the accident have been checked.” Tlie coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, retur-n ed a verdict that deatli was due to a fracture of Hie skull as a result of deceased being knocked down by a motorear, the evidence showing that deceased was on his correct side. When Carlisle’s father expressed appreciation of the kindness and consideration shown by the police, the coroner said it was very gratifying for tlie police to get “a pat on tlie back,” as they usually received nothing but ? brick.