MOTORING TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1930, Page 10

MOTORING TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, May 6

The inquest into the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Norman W. Cook, who were killed when their motor car, after colliding with another, fell into a creek below the Ngahauranga Gorge Road on the afternoon of April 13, was resumed to-day. Alfred Edward Storey, driver of the car which collided with that driven by Mr. Cook said that he was passing anothei’ car when he saw Mr. Cook s car approaching round a bend. Mr. Cook’s car was then only a few yards ahead, and had not previously been in view of witness. Mr. Cook was on his right side of the road, and it looked as if he had plenty of room to pass witness. Witness was in the centre of the road. The impact of the two cars was not severe and witness stopped immediately. When witness alighted Mr. Cook’s car had fallen . over the bank. Witness had been driving foi* 18 years, j , George Rigyard, motor mechanic, said that when Mr. Cooks cai was lecovered, it was found that the steeling gear was jammed to a right hand lock. An examination showed this to be due to a mechanical defect. It appeared to have been caused by a blow. It appeared that someone had been "working on the affected part before the accident. fl he cai could haie been driven straight forward despite that damage, but could not have been turned to the left. The inquest was further adjourned until Thursday. I