MOTOR FATALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 15

MOTOR FATALITY

STRUCK BY TWO CARS ONE NOT YET IDENTIFIED EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST The adjourned inquest concerning the death. of Miss Elizabeth Bolt, aged 61, who received fatal injuries on Farmers' Bill, Great South Road, 011 October 22, was concluded before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., / coroner, yesterday afternoon. Deceased was struck by two motor-cars in quick succession, and died before medical aid could be obtained. The first car did not stop and has not been identified. Detective-Sergeant Martin appeared for (lie police and Mr. Clarko for the driver of the second car which struck deceased, John Fred Newsome. Evidence was given by John Lister Tibbctts, assistant manager of the Farmers' Hill service station, Great South Road, that at about 7.15 p.m. on October 22. while outside the service station, lie noticed 2 small car approaching at a very high speed from tho direction of Newmarket. It was travelling in the centre of the road.

".My attention was .ittraded to the car by tlie sound of the engine, and it appeared to mc as though it 'was being driven 'flat out,' " said witness. "[ •watched the car pass another car almost opposite tho garage. Ifc did not slacken speed at any time. The back of the car slithered across the road just after it passed the garage. There was a packing case or ;i similar case in tlie dickey seat at tile back of the car and this case was swaying about. Shortly afterwards I learned there had been an accident further down the road. The car was travelling south. Speed of the Car "I have no hesitation in saying that fins car was being driven at an excessive speed and in a reckless and dangerous manner. I am satisfied that the small car was a Singer two-seater roadster, painted a maroon colour with a black hood. It was not a late model. I did not see the accident. It was dark at the time, but visibility was normal."

Cross-examined, witness said a grey oar was overtaken by the Singer car. There was also another car going south, which had been passed by the Singer. Tho Singer was the first car to p;o over the hill.

Evidence of Driver John Fred Newsome said that just prior to the accident, ho was driving along Great South Koad, and had just passed the junction of Aratonga Avenue and Otahuri Crescent when he heard a horn sound, and a moment later another car passed him. This car appeared to be a Singer, and was travelling very fast. The vehicle pulled in to the left just as it passed witness* car. "Almost immediately afterwards I heard a smack and then noticed a woman spin round toward the front of my car," continued witness, "and before I had an opportunity to do anything I struck her with my car. It appeared to me that the woman was first struck with either the fiont or rear mudguard of the small car. 1 estimate I was about 22ft. behind the small car when it first struck the woman. This car went straight on and made no attempt to stop." Witness said he was satisfied deceased was first struck by the car in front of him. Witness' car was travelling at a n.c>dest §peed. It was dark, but visibility was as good as could be expected at that lime of night. The Coroner's Finding Detective Murch said inquiries were immediately instituted with a view to locating the, small car which was alleged lo have struck deceased first. So far, however, the car had not been located. After the accident Newsome appeared to l>e suffering from shock, but was quite Eober.

The coroner returned a verdict that the cause of deceased's death was shock following the multiple injuries she received when she was accidentally knocked down and run over by a motor-car driven bv John Fred Newsome. "The evidence shows," added Mr. Hunt, "that deceased had just previously been struck by another car, not yet identified, which was travelling at an excessive speed."