DEATH OF A POSTAL OFFICER INVESTIGATED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19118, 10 July 1930, Page 6

DEATH OF A POSTAL OFFICER INVESTIGATED.

Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., July 10. The circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Hickey, a postal officer, aged twenty-three years, were investigated by the Coroner to-day. Deceased, who was riding a motor-cycle, was injured in a collision with a motorcar near Sandon on April 12 and died i on May 19. The doctor who had attended deceased at the hospital stated that the cause of death was surgical shock superven ing on a debilitated condition of general health following the extremely serious nature of the injuries. It was stated that an operation was necessary to effect the union of the fractures, the bones failing to knit. Death was not really attributable to the direct effect of anaesthesia. John Joseph Evans, driver of the motor-car, said he was travelling at 35 miles an hour. Approaching a corner near Mt Stewart he tried to slacken speed but the accelerator would not come up. Witness stooped down to pull it up and knocking the steering wheel, causing the car to wobble. Just as the car reached the corner Hickey came round and the crash occurred Witness applied his brakes and the car turned over. Witness said he had five drinks that afternoon—three before and two after a j football match. lie would not deny , he had more than two after the match. The Coroner said he would make no j comment on the evidence in view of I the likelihood of subsequent proceedings. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.