DEATH OF MAORI IN CAR CAPSIZE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 92, 12 January 1939, Page 11

DEATH OF MAORI IN CAR CAPSIZE

Evidence At Inquest

Dominion Special Service,

WAIPUKURAU. January 11

Evidence that no drink had been taken, but that both occupants were drowsy throughout lhe journey was given at an inquest today into the death of Piri Cyril AVakefield, a Alaori, Porangahau, before the acting-coroner, Air. A. C. Holmes, and a jury of four. A verdict was returned that AVakefield met his death in AVanstead on January 1. through severe head injuries causing laceration of the brain received in a motor accident in a car driven by Dudley Ropiha, Foxton. The driver of the car, Dudley Ropiha, single, aged 18. said both he and Wakefield had been drowsy throughout the journey, having been up all the previous night carol singing. Two stops were made on the way from Porangahau to obtain rest, and Wakefield slept soundly practically the whole way. No drink had been taken, and witness never touched liquor. He had dozed oft just before the accident. AVitnes.s said he was taken to hospital after the accident with back injuries.

“From the point where 1 first noticed the wheel marks to a point 105 ft. toward the car the marks had crossed the road diagonally,” said Constable William Richard Thomason, Wai'pukurau. “The left-hand wheel then mounted a low sloping bank about two feet high, the eft wheels travelling along this for -10 ft. before regaining the metalled road. They continued diagonally across the road for 70ft. toward the right and then down the bank.” After striking a Vence the car had turned a complete somersault and was wrecked. The nature of the wheel marks indicated a certain amount of speed. The bend was not a dangerous one, said witness.