MOTOR TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 103, 4 May 1933, Page 12

MOTOR TRAGEDY

ISLAND BAY CRASH

INQUIRY CONTINUED

COXDITIO^ OF MAKES

The Coroner's inquiry into the motor-, car fatality, resulting in the death of four persons, which occurred at Island Bay on April 1, was continued today. The victims of the tragedy were James Henry Wood, Mrs. Margaret -Gilmour Wood, Ernest Joseph Dickson, and Miss Olga Beryl Bardebes. Mr.; E. Gilbertson, J.P., was Coroner. Mr., W. E. Leicester appeared for the relatives of Miss Bardebes and Mr. Diekson; Mr.-P. E. Baldwin for Frederick Hooker, who, it was stated, was driving the ear at tho time of tlio accident-; Mr. R. L. A. Cresswell for Gerald Fitzgerald, who drove the' car earlier in the evening; and Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald for j tlio owners of tho car, Meyers Motors. Chief Detective Carroll conducted the inquiry for the police. y/esterda^ afternoon, Frank Leo H*jare, a- member of the party, said that Hooker told him after the accident that he did not know what had happened. Witness then asked why )ie had taken the car, and Hooker replied that the others had "jeered me anto doing it." • Chief-Detective Carroll produced a statement made by the witness to a. detective, hi which he said ho had asked Hooker who drove the car. The latter did- not appear to understand, and made no reply. In. ■ reply to Mr. Leicester, Hoaro said he thought there would be no opportunity for anyone to tamper with the car whilo it was standing outside tho main entrance to the cabaret. He had been surprised to hear the suggestion that Hooker had 'driven the car down the hill. Hooker did riot say anything about the car having started accidentally. To Mr. Fitzgerald, . senior, witness said that if there had been any suggestion about the party splitting up it would have been natural for Gerald Fitzgerald to ask him to drive. He was a competent driver, but did not hold a licence at tho present time. Norman Meyers, a partner in Meyers Motors, said that the car was in good mechanical order, tho brakes being quite safe. On examining it after the accident lie found that tho engine and lights were switched on. The car was damaged beyond repair. Tho.number plates did not belong to it. . Mr. Leicester: There was no statutory insurance against third-party risk?— No. Questioned further regarding the brakes, witness said that even if the linings were worn the brakes would be quite efficient if adjusted properly. The hearing was adjourned until today. TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Marjorio Morris, who was injured in the accident, gave her evidence at the Wellington Hospital today. Witness said that when the party was ready to start from the Crow's Ncs^t Cabaret, they were all in the hall, except Miss Wells. Gerald Fitzgerald came down to help to start the • car. After they got tho car started the car continued round the upper road. Witness's party went round the lower road, and met the car at the corner of Milne Terrace and Knoll Street. "When our party," said witness, "reached tho car wo .found Hooker sitting in the driver's., seat. When I got into tho car I told them to hurry up; that I had to lse home- at 12 o'clock. After I was seated iv the car, Dickson said to Hooker, 'Do you want mo in front or do you think you can manage on your own?'' and Hooker replied, 'No; I can manage all right; you sit behind.' The car did not run away. It started slowly, and gradually gathered speed. When the car started the engine roared, and continued roaring. After the car had gathered speed, nothing was said by any of the party until it bumped on the corner of 'the footpath. One of the girls screamed out, 'Oh! Bo careful!' Hooker replied,. 'I cannot hold it.' When turning round the corner tho car went straight across the footpath and over the bank. DIFFICULTY IN STARTING. ' Cross-examined by Mr. Leicester, witness said that t a little, after 11.30 all the party, except Miss Wells* Fitzgerald, and possibly Hoare, decided to return home. Witness heard. Fitzgerald say "You people can take the car." "I am not sure," said witness, "whether that remark was addressed to' Hooker 'or to the whole party. I understood that Hooker was to drive the party home." Mr. Leicester: The car could not start with. the. self-starter? —No; and we all got out. There was a terrible job trying to get ithe ear to start. Do you know of your own knowledge who drove tho car.? —No; but as far as I know Mr. Hooker was going to drive us home. .' ' Was anything said prior to the bump about the driving of the car?— Nop that If remember. Was it your impression or belief that tho car was being normally, driven' up to the bump?— Yes;. I thought it was being I normally driven until tlie bump occurred. There was certain evidence ' given which suggested that the reason, why Hooker was driving the car was that some member of the party jeered him or urged him to drive?—Kl did not hear it.. '• J '■...- In reply to the Coroner, witness said there was no liquor taken, either at the cabaret or afterwards, so far as she knew. ■■ ■ ' - To a question asked by Mr. Baldwin, witness said that Mr. Hooker tried to save, her from injury after the car wont over tho bank. ; James Edward Fitzgerald, partner in

the firm, of Meyers Motors, said he gave his son permission to use the car, which was in good condition; the brakes were in good order. Witness said he , had driven the car on several occasions. He had had possession of it for about three months; he declined to state who was the previous owner. If the ear had started off from a stationary position on the. road where the accident occurred an experienced driver should have been able to stop within twenty-five feet.--Boy Mervin Sheerin, motor engineer, said he overhauled the motor-car three weeks before the accident; and he tested it on the day of the accident. The brakes were quite effective, and in good order.,, , (Proceeding.)