LORRY DRIVER’S DEATH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 18 August 1934, Page 5

LORRY DRIVER’S DEATH

Maraekakaho Road Accident INQUEST PROCEEDINGS Evidence of Load Shifting The inquest into the death of Mr Stanley Frank Draper, aged 26 years, of Hastings, who was killed on Wednesday last on the Maraekakaho road through the motor lorry he was driving overturning, was held at the Hastings Courthouse to-duy before the Coroner, Mr G. Ebbett. Evidence of identification was given by the deceased’s lather, who stated that his son was a competent driver, and that the truck ho was driving was in perfect mechanical condition. Phillip Blakesley, who accompanied the deceased to Tikokino for a load of firewood, said that when on the straight, level road between Maraekukaho and Ngatarawa deceased was driving ut a speed of about 25 miles an hour. The first indication he had that the lorry was not under proper control was when it turned towards the centre of the road and then violently to the left side again. As it did so the rear of the lorry seemed to sink and the front rise. He then remembered the lorry rolling over. The accident appeared to him to have been caused by the lorry skidding in the shingle, which caused the load to slip sideways, causing the lorry to capsize. To the Coroner: Witness said he was not driving. He could not drive a motor vehicle. Deceased’s whole attention was on the road. Arthur Goodall, motor lorry driver, said that he was driving towards Maraekakaho when he saw a lorry approaching. When about a quarter of a mile away the oncoming lorry veered off the road and then swerved suddenly to get off the grass. The lorry headed over towards the opposite side ot the road, and when on the centre line swerved suddenly to the left as if to gain the correct side of the road. Thu load shifted, causing the lorry to tip over. The road where tho accident occurred was perfectly straight and in good order. Constable Craigie, who proceeded to tho scene of the accident, gave evidence of having examined the wheel marks of the lorry for some distance back. Ho stated that the lorry, after swerving violently to the left front the centre of the road, capsized, with its front wheels up against tho fence. He knew tho deceased to bo a competent and experienced driver. Medical evidence as to the cause of death was given by Dr. R. Cashmore. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to a fracture of the neck caused by the overturning of a motor lorry deceased himself was driving on the Maraekakaho road.