THE LONGBURN FATALITY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143770, 19 April 1912, Page 3

THE LONGBURN FATALITY

■EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 19. The inquest on the body of Percy Field, the victim of the Longburn motor accident, was opened before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., coroner, and a jury, this morning. The first witness was Downes, the stationmaster, who was standing on the road with Field when the latter was knocked down. He stated that neither saw the car till it was within ten paces of them. Deceased jumped to one side and witness the other, with the result that deceased was knocked down. Witness said that the car had 'two lights, which were not very bright, and he thought they were kerosene. Deceased was carried about forty paces. Witness said that the driver informed him that the car was only going ten miles per hour, but he had replied that it appeared to be nearer thirty miles. Both witness and deceased wore* sober. Witness admitted that both had twelve drinks each during the day, commencing with four at 10.30 a.m., three at dinner-time, three at 6.30, and two at 9.45.