FATAL CAR SMASH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 December 1933, Page 6

FATAL CAR SMASH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST i VERDICT. OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A fatal car smash at Corsair Bay on 3rd December when Mrs Jessie Harris, aged 30 years, was killed, and George Stant, aged 8 years, and Kevin Stant, aged 6 years, were seriously injured, was investigated by Mr Mosley, S.M., at the inquest this morning. The car plunged 2CO feet over the cliff from the road above the bay. The driver was D. Ludecke, a factory overseer. Oliver Shukar, an eye-witness, said that the car was pulled up at first and then went slowly backwards off the road on to a level bank at the edge of the cliff. The car stopped for six seconds near a wire fence and the woman and the two boys made to get out, when suddenly the car went backwards at least 10 miles an hour, l't crashed through the fence and over the cliff. It appeared to witness as if the driver had made a mistake ill putting his foot on the accelerator instead of the clutch. There was no reason why the car should have gone over the’cliff. David Ludecke, the driver, gave evidence that the car was running perfectly on the trip from Governor’s Bay to Lyttelton. At Rocky Point he decided to park the car, intending to do down to the beach. After turning the corner he stopped to see if everything was clear. He put the car in reverse and backed towards the fence without any trouble, lie then put on the brake. However, the car did not stop save for half a second, and went over the bank. It seemed to gather speed as it went downhill. Witness could not account for the accident. Witness had not a driver's license and had not driven much previously, though lie'had had driving lessons. A verdict of accidental death was returned.