Inquest Follows Taipuha Fatality

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1939, Page 5

Inquest Follows Taipuha Fatality

Death as the result of the capsize of/ a motor car was the verdict returned at the tinquest into the death of Mr. T. J. 1$ Vaillant, of Taipuha. Mr. Le Vaillant died following the capsize of a car in which he was a passenger on January 29.

Ivan Le Vaillant. son of deceased, and driver of the car, stated that they had been driving along the Paparoa Road about three-quarters of a mile from deceased’s home. Their car was an open tourer. Deceased and a girl. Merle Campbell, were in the front seat.

In the back were two younger brothers of witness. Tried to Avoid Dog,

One of the dogs from the house had followed the car, and was running along by the front wheel. Witness had swerved over from the correct side to avoid it, and then swerved back. Skidding in the loose metal, the car had’ again swerved across the road, run along a low bank and then capsized. Witness was able to get clear, but assistance had to be sought to lift the car clear of the ither two in the front.

The girl was slightly injured, but Mr. Le Vaillant’s injuries were fatal.

Both of the boys in the N back escaped without injury. Sympathy with the relatives of deceased was expressed by the district coroner, Mr. G. H. Morrish, when giving his verdict.