DEATH OF GIRL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 14

DEATH OF GIRL

COLLISION AT REMUERA TWO MOTOR-CARS INVOLVED CONCLUSION OF INQUEST An inquest concerning the death in the Auckland Hospital on July 29 of Ruth Beatrice Warburton, need eurht, who received fatal injuries on the day of her death in a motor collision at the intersection of Orakei and Shore Roads, Ilemuera. wns concluded yesterday before Mr. Wvvern Wils°n< S.M., coroner. Deceased was the daughter of Mr. E. R. Warburton, of 24 Hawera Road, Kohimarama, who was the driver of the motor-car in which she was travelling Mr. Finlay represented the relatives of deceased, Mr. Richmond appearing for Mr. D. C. Purdie, of Sarawai Street, Parncll, the driver of the other car involved in the accident, and Sergeant Claasen for the police. Evidence was given by Hector Maxwell, motor mechanic, of 103 Remuera Road, that he was in his car near the intersection when he saw Warburton s car travelling down Orakei Road toward the intersection, and Purdie s car proceeding along Shore Road from the city. Witness was not able to estimate the speed of Warburton's vehicle, but the other car was travelling about 25 miles an hour approaching the intersection. Neither driver appeared to see the other, Warburton's car being struck near the centre on the left-hand side and ending up against a fence. The other car was swung around. It was a clear day, with good visibility at the intersection. Marks on Roadway Answering Mr. Richmond, witness said it was possible some marks he noticed on the road indicated that the brakes of Purdie's car were applied. To Mr. Finlay, witness said the speed, of Warburton's car did not seem abnormal. , Egbert Reuben Warburton, father ot deceased, said his car was travelling toward his home at about 20 miles an hour nearing the intersection. He first saw the other vehicle when his car was about 20ft. away. Witness tried to swerve, and put on the brakes, but he doubted whether 4 the short time elapsing before the. impact allowed him to accomplish much. He could see a collision was inevitable. Questioned by Mr. Richmond, witness said his brakes were effective, and at the speed he was travelling ho supposed it would be possible to stop in 30ft. He denied that he had told any person that deceased was wanting to get from the front seat to the back seat as the car was going down Orakei Road. Actually, she was interested in some papers which were in the back seat.* . . Douglas Campbell Purdie, solicitor and driver of the other car, said he slowed down at the intersection, and his speed would be 15 to 20 miles an houf. He had noticed Warburton's car when witness would be some 40ft. from the point of impact, and heithoughtj there would be ample time to make the crossing. Soon after, he saw that the distance between the other car and the intersection had narrowed materially, and he assumed that the other vehicle was going considerably faster than his own. He jammed on the brakes in an effort to avoid the collision. Witness considered the only chance of escaping the accident was if the other car had managed to pass in front. W hen his car was 40ft. from the point of impact, Warburton's would have been nearly double that distance from the point. Passenger's Evidence"

A resident of Shore Road, Erling Muller, said both cars were travelling at about 25 miles an hour approaching the intersection, and they seemed to bo going too fast. Both drivers had the opportunity of seeing each other. A passenger in Purdie's car, Richard Arnold Singer, solicitor, of Grafton Road, said his attention was drawn by the speed of Warburton's car, which he considered to have been excessive. Purdie's car was travelling at 15 to 20 miles an hour. The other car did not have the brakes applied, in witness opinion, and, at the speed it was travelling, if the brakes had b»>en applied, Purdie's car would have been struck in the centre. To Mr. Finlay, witness said Purdie might not have realised the sj>eed of the other car. In returning a verdict that deceased died from injuries received in the collision, the coroner said very grave consequences had arison from the accident. As there was a probability of one or both of the drivers being prosecuted, he would refrain from commenting on tlie evidence.