FOXTON ROAD ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3828, 7 August 1928, Page 2

FOXTON ROAD ACCIDENT.

♦ THE INQUEST. WITNESS DESCRIBES LORRY’S CAPSIZE. As a result of the lorry accident on the Levin-Foxton road on Saturday morning, when John Smart, of Taihape, was killed, and Charles Harding, of Taihape, was seriously injured, an inquest was opened at the Levin Courthouse, before Mr. T. Brown, District Coroner, on Saturday afternoon. Evidence was given by Fred Chippendale, carpenter, of Ellis Road, Taihape, an employee of Robertson and Slade, builders, who were travelling with the lorry conveying men and materials intended' for a contract at Wellington. He slated that when about a mile south of' the Wfhirokino Bridge, on the Foxton-Levin Road, they came to a sharp bend on the road. Instead of the lorry taking the bend, it ran straight on over the bank and capsized on to its side. Thomas Slade was driving the lorry, and Albert Robertson and witness were riding in the cab with him. John Smart and Charles Harding were riding on the back of the lorry just behind the cab. Witness was thrown clear of (he lorry. He was stunned, but as soon as he recovered lie went round to the back of the lorry, and found Smart and Harding lying on the ground between the lorry and the road. He helped to move them on to the bank. John Smart died within a few minutes. The police alid doctors wete sent for, and arrived shortly afterwards. Harding was sent to the Palmerston N. Hospital. Witness had known the deceased, Smart, for, fourteen years. Smart was about 40 years of age and a bricklayer; lie had a, wife and one child, and resided at Ivaka Road, Taihape. The lorry, in witness’s, opinion was not travelling at an excessive speed; as far as lie was able to judge it was travelling at about 20 miles an hour. He was sitting next to the driver, but could not form any opinion as to the cause of the lorry going over the bank.

The inquest was adjourned until yesterday afternoon when evidence was given by Thomas Slade, driver of the lorry, who stated that the lorry was a new one and had not given any trouble. The lorry was travelling at between 25 and 30 miles. He did not know the bend was so sharp. The accelerator jammed and he put on the foot brake but the lorry left the road and went over the bank. The coroner returned a verdict that the deceased was killed by the accidental overturning of the lorry. HARDING SLIGHTLY BETTER. On inquiry being made at the Palmerston Hospital, it was ascertained that the condition of Harding showed.a slight improvement. His injuries consist of several broken ribs and fractured shoulder.