MOTOR CAR SMASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 4

MOTOR CAR SMASH

INQUEST ON VICTIMS COMMENT BY CORONER A SUGGESTION OF SPEED (Per United Press Association) NAPIER, Jan. 10. At the inquest this morning a verdict was returned that the victims of the Turangakumu Hill accident on New Year’s Day— Kenneth Samuel Mack, single, aged 24, of Wellington, and William Kenneth Weir, single, aged 27, of Christchurch, Government meat inspectors —died as the result of severe injuries received when a motor car rolled down a 250-feet bank. “ This appears to be a most unfortunate and distressing accident,’ commenad the coroner. “ There does not appear to have been any negligence on the part of the driver, but it does seem there was a suggestion of pace at that particular point. , It seems to me to have beeen more an error of judgment on the part of the driver (Weir), and the two tilings must not be confused.” One witness was Cedric Hogan, meat inspector, who was thrown clear when the car went over the bank. The car, a five-seater saloon owned by Hogan, was being driven by Weir, who had just taken the wheel. While passing another car the Vehicle left the road and rolled down a bank. After somersaulting three times through scrub and bracken, it landed on its wheels on the same road as that which it had left, but 200 feet below, the road curving back lower on the hill. Hogan, who escaped with injuries, was thrust through the roof of the vehicle as it plunged down the hillside, and was found about halfway down. Mack, who suffered iextepsive head injuries, succumbed several hours after the accident, but Weir was killed instantly. The car was extensively damaged. The roof was almost tom off, and the bodywork was shattered.