RUN OVER TWICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17350, 15 May 1924, Page 8

RUN OVER TWICE.

VERDICT IN RIVER ROAD FATALITY. Interesting evidence was given yesterday before Air H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., at the conclusion of the inquest on H. J. Goodenough, whose body was found lying at the side of River Road, near Gowlishaw’s Corner, on April 21, bearing evidence of having been run over by two ears. Previously evidence had been given by a taxi driver that Ids car had struck something near the spot, but that he had not stopped. Two children had given evidence that they saw a motorist stop and drag a body to the side of the road. Detective-Sergeant D. Connolly appeared on behalf of the police.

Arthur Edward Williams, a bacon curer, residing at Riccarton, said that lie was passing along River Road in a motor-car about 7 p.m. on April 21. He was returning from New Brighton. Near the corner of Mile Road lie saw an object on the road, and coming closer saw that it was a man lying full length on the road, parallel with the footpath. He ran past him and pulled up, as he thought it might be someone requiring assistance. It was verydark, so he struck a match. The man did not answer; liis face was on the road. At that moment he saw another car coming along the road in the same direction as he had come, so lie caught the man by the shoulder and dragged him to the side of the road, and left him so that he Mould be clear of the footpath. Air Widdowson : Did he appear to be alive or dead?—He appeared to be like a man dead drunk. I did not think he ■was dead.

Williams said that he then went back to the car and saw two children. He told them there was a man lying on the road, and that he was either drunk or unconscious. The children replied that lie was drunk, and that they had seen him before, or words to that effect. He told the children to tell the police and drove off.

Air Widdowson: Oouln’t you have called at the Central Police Station, it was on your way home ? Williams said that two days later he learned that a man had been picked up dead on River Road. After a report of the second inquest, he saw that he was inquired for and rang the police station and told the officer in charge what had happened. Air Widdowson: According to the children’s evidence, and there is no reason to doubt them, two ears ran over the body. I cannot see how one car did the mjury in both places.

Witness: I am positive that my car did not go. over him. Detective Connolly: Did you not feel a jolt?—No.

Mr Widdowson: It seems quite clear from the post-mortem examination that two wheels of - a car -went over the body Did it not strike you that the mau might have been seriously injured Witness.- I did think of that, but if I had gone to the police they Mould have said that 1 had run over -him. AJr YviddoMsou : You were afraid?— I know tne attitude of the public in these things. Does this account for your not coming forward?—Well, the children said that he Mas drunk. m Witness continued that lie tried to find the Richmond Police Station.

Jane illiams, wife of the previous witness, sgid that she was in the car M-itli her husband when the incident happened. Their motor-car carried two headlights. “The cause of death appears to be quite clear, that deceased iiad received very severe injuries to the head and bociy,” said the Coroner, in summing up. The doctor -had said either injurv would cause death. Goodenough was run over by a motor-car driven by thi man Mills. From the doctor’s evidence it appeared that deceased Mas run over by two motor-cars, and it seemed impossible that both lots of injuries could be done by one car. “T-he facts are,” continued Air Wid dowson, “that Goodenough did not enjoy very good health, and unfortunately lie took liquor, which affected him very quickly. This, no doubt, Mas due to an operation. It seems to me that if Alills had been keeping close Match on the road he should have seen the deceased. If one could see him, surely the other couLd. So far as Alills is concerned the running over of the deceased Mas purely an accident. The road at that particular part is very badLy lighted. Air and Airs Williams are both positive that their car did not f*> over him- He might have been run over lengthways, but I do not see how the injuries could have been received like that. Apparently deceased fell and crawled on to the road. With regard to Air Williams’s attitude in this matter, it was only after the last inquest that he has come forM’ard. It is a most unfortunate position of mind to be in. Although it is quite clear that deceased had received mortal injuries, Mr Williams did not know that. The man might not have been drunk. and the least Air Williams could have done was to go into the house next door and had the unfortunate man attended to. I c-aunot mill nderstand his attitude of mind. I am quite sure that the body was not run over again after Mr Williams had dragged the body to the side of the

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally run over and crushed by a motor-car.