DEATH OF DUNEDIN RESIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20610, 8 January 1929, Page 10

DEATH OF DUNEDIN RESIDENT

ACCIDENT AT OTAIO. FAULTY DANGER SIGN. Reference to the non-compliance by a South Canterbury local body with the section of the Motor Regulations dealing with the erection of danger signs; was made by the district coroner (Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M.) at the inquest on Saturday morning concerning the death of Thomas Henry 'Erskine, of Dunedin, who was injured in a motor accident at Otaio .on the evening of December 22, and who died at the Timaru Hospital early on Friday evening. After heaving the evidence of a son-in-law of the deceased, and Constable Hammond, of St. Andrews, who characterised the corner as an extremely bad one, the coroner said that it was quite obvious that the notice board, drawing attention to the bend, did not comply with the regulations. Class C 'Of section 10, of the regulations, read:-—’“ Signs, indicating the nature or condition of the road, such as a sharp , turning, steep , hill, narrow bridge, or loose gravel, requiring slow speed, and extra caution on the part of a driver of a motor vehicle.” : “That is the section of the regulations governing this.particular sign,” said the coroner, .“ and’it should be two feet square. This board is by no meats that size. I do not, think the local authority quite grasps the meaning of the'regulations. I am certain of that. They should try to comply a little more with the spirt of the regulations.” The first witness to give evidence , was James David M’Robie, commercial traveller, residng in Dunedin, who said that he was a son-m-law of the deceased. He was travelling from Dunedin to Timaru by car with the deceased on Saturday, 'December 22. The accident occurred at eight minutes past 7. The car was travelling about 30 miles an hour just prior to the accident. When turning Horse Shoe bend, the car skidded and capsized. The oar travelled about 20 yards after skidding, and it turned round and faced south. The machine did not leave the road. It turned over on the hood, with the wheels in the air. Witness further stated that he was sitting in the front seat with the deceased when the accident occurred. He got all the occupants out except his eldest child and the deceased, who was pinned down by the steering wheel. Assistance was secured, and deceased was extricated. He was then in a bad way, and was taken to the Timaru Hospital. _ The sedan top of the car was smashed right in, and two wheels were smashed. At the spot where the accident took place there was a qnantity of loose shingle. The deceased slackened speed slightly when taking the bend. He did not know, the road. Witness has since seen a warning board on the side of the road, but did not notice it„ prior to the accident. Constable T. Hammond, of St. Andrews, stated that he visited the scene of the accident. Hie car was lying on the lefthand side of the road, going north. The front of the car was facing south. He was present when the deceased was taken to the hospital. In his opinion, the corner was a very bad one, not being properly formed. He knew of two or three cars which had gone off the road, and through a hedge into an adjoining paddock. Other cars had gone on to ,the grass, but had recovered. In nearly every case speed was the cause of the trouble. There was a warning board, but it was practically useless, as it was /feo small. The background made it very difficult to pick up the board, which was about half a chain from the bend. Dr J. Campbell MTCenzie, medical superintendent of the Timaru Hospital, stated that the deceased was admitted to the hospital at 0 p.nj- on December 22, and died at 7 p.m. on January 4. He was suffering from a compound fracture of the skull, extensive lacerated wound between the eyes involving* the brain,, a compound fracture of the lower jaw: and minor injuries. After commenting as reported above, the coroner returned a verdict that deceased had died of laceration of the brain and other extensive injuries, caused through the overturning of a car. The evidence showed that deceased was driving round the bend at too great a speed. The formation of the road was. particularly dangerous, and it was desirable that a notice board, more in accordance with the regulations, should b? erected, in place of the existing one. Mr Thomas H. Erskine was a native of -Lisburn, Belfast, Ireland. He arrived in Otago about 47 years ago, and engaged in farm, and -station work. He was well known in the Wuiwera and Clinton districts as an exceptionally- competent worker. In 1891, as one of the original selectors upon the Pomahaka Downs estate, he demonstrated his determination and- capability, to succeed in the face of adverse conditions and discouraging criticism. In 1807 Mr Erskine married Miss E. H. Jones, of Waikaka Valley, He is survived by hik- widow and three daughters.