CAR FALLS INTO CREEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22041, 22 February 1935, Page 13

CAR FALLS INTO CREEK

ACCIDENT AFTER DANCE 3 DEVONPORT YOUTH'S DEATH EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST An accident in which a motor-car crashed through an approach to Day's Bridge, Albany, about 12.15 on the morning of November 4, and fell lo feet, was' investigated yesterday by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, at an inquest into the death of Michnel Stipich, aged 19, of Yauxhall lload, Devonport. Sergeant Ebbett, outlining the circumstances, said that deceased was one of a party of young men who drove to Albany to attend a dance, which ended at midnight. Difficulty waj experienced in climbing the hills with the car on the way from Devonport, and the occupants had to push the vehicle on several occasions. They did not reach the dance until after 10 p.m. On the return journey deceased and another young man occupied the front seat with the driver, Harold George Noel Xangton. After crashing through the rails of the approach the vehicle landed upside down in a creek. Five of the occupants • were injured and were taken to the Auckland Hospital, while deceased was killed outright. No Liquor in Car William Jewell Howard, of 39 Victoria Road, Devonport, said he went to Albany in the car, but he returned to Devonport before the others by bus. "Witness did not see any liquor at the dance, and there was none in the car. Four young men who were injured in the accident —Richard James Powell, of Wvnyard Street, Devonport; James Russell McGregor, of Victoria Road, Devonport; Ross Darroch Jones, of Wat-srview'Road, Devonport; ajid John George Cogan, of Mozley Avenue, Devonport—said there was no liquor in the car, nor did they see any at the dance. Two youpg, men who reached the bridge shortly after the accident said they tried unsuccessfully to revive deceased. These witnesses and Constable Moloney, of Takapuna, said no sign of liquor-' was apparent. The driver, Harold Langton, of Victoria Road, Devonport,, said the only drink he had was a "half-handle" of beer before 6 p.m. The car was not travelling at more than 20 miles an hour, but witness, . who was badly injured, remembered that there was' a distinct bump before the accident. Wheel Probably Responsible Edward > Frank Cooper, motor mechanic, of Pierce Road, Takapuna, described his examination of the car. The left front wheel had collapsed, but witness could not say whether this was the cause of the accident or whether the wheel was broken by the fall. 'A sudden turn' oL the steering wheel might have caused the weak front wheel to collapse'.

The coroner said he was glad to think there was no suggestion of drink concerning the driver. That was completely eliminated. He was inclined to think that the weak wheel might have been 'responsible. The car was an old modd, and the wheel might have collapsed. v

A verdict of accidental death was returned.