PEDESTRIAN’S DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 3

PEDESTRIAN’S DEATH

STRUCK BY CAR VERDICT AT INQUEST A verdict that death was caused by cerebral laceration and oedema was returned by the coroner, Mr. S. M. Dixon, at an inquest concerning the death of John Joseph Stopt'orth, farm labourer, ol Te Awamutu, aged 36 years. Mr. Stopiorth was struck by a motor-car near Marton Junction on the night of September 30 and died in the Wanganui Hospital on October 1. Mr. K. A. Williams, Marton, appeared for the driver of the car, Francis Patrick Barry. Constable F. W. Edwards appeared lor the nolice. Dr. 11. L. Widdowson, medical superintendent at the Wanganui Hospital, stated that Stopt'orth was admitted to hospital on October 1 and was unconscious. He was suffering from a fracture ot the base ot the skull and died the next day. Percy David Wootton. motor-car salesman, Marton, stated that he was motoring toward Marton Junction at 10.30 on the night of September 30. Near the junction of Anuru Street another car, travelling at about 30 miles an hour, overtook him. As the car was passing he saw a man's hat fly into the ail. The driver of the car swerved back on to the left side ot the road and stopped. The occupants of the car got out pnd went back to where a man was lying on the road. The driver or the car was Frank Barry. Just before Barry started to overtake the car of witness and before striking Stopiorth, he saw another vehicle coming toward them. This car had its headlights burning. Andrew Stuart Todd, plumoer, Marton, who was a passenger in Barry's car, said Barrv was travelling at about 30 miles an hour when he pulled to the light to overtake the other car. As I hey were overtaking the other ear he felt the car strike something and he heard Barry say he had struck a man. He did not see the man before the car struck him. When Barry was overtaking the car ahead witness saw another car approaching. Barry was sober at the time of the accident.