POSTAL OFFICER'S DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 6

POSTAL OFFICER'S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST 1 Per Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., July 10. The circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Hickey, postal officer, aged 33, were investigated by the Coroner to-day. Deceased, who was riding a motor cycle, was injured in a collision with a car near Sandon on April 12 and died on May 19. The doctor who attended deceased at the hospital stated that the cause of death was surgical shock supervening on a debilitated condition of general health, following the extremely serious nature of the injuries, it being stated that an operation was necessary to effect a union of fractured bones failing to knit. Death was not really attributable to the direct effect of anaesthesia. John Joseph Evans, driver of the car, said that he was travelling at 35 miles an hour approaching a corper near Mount Stewart. He tried to slacken speed but the accelerator would not come up. He stooped down to pull it up, but knocked the steering wheel causing the car to wobble. Just as the car reached the corner, Hickey came round and the crash occurred. Witness applied the brakes and the car turned over. Questioned, witness said that he had had five drinks that afternoon, three before and two after a football match. He would not deny that he had more than two after the match. The Coroner said that he would make no comment on the evidence in view of the likelihood of subsequent proceedings.

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.