LATE MR J. D. THOMPSON

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 100, 27 August 1930, Page 3

LATE MR J. D. THOMPSON

Death follows Accident CORONER’S INQUEST HELD. ROAD CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. At the Courthouse, Waipukurau, yesterday morning the inquest, which had been opened and adjourned on August 12th last, was resumed before Dr. H. W. M. Kendall, District Coroner, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr John Dempster Thompson of Hastings. It will be remembered that deceased, with his two brothers, and Messrs R. P. Northe, a brother-in-law, and J. Donaldson, an employee, were returning to Hastings after having witnessed the final Rugby test match at Wellington on August 9th last. The accident occurred near the top of Holden’s Hill, between Makotuku and Matamau. The road on which the party was travelling was not a main highway, but a detour was necessary owing to the principal road being closed for repairs.

Evidence of a Brother. Victor Robert Thompson, farmer, residing at Te Awa, Roy’s Hill, Hastings, said that he was a brother of deceased and had been a passenger in the car on the night of the accident. Deceased was driving the car and there were four other passengers. The car was a 5-seater Buick in first-class order. The party left Wellington about 6 p.m., and stopped about ten minutes at Levin, which was the only stop. The party was a “teetotal crowd,” and lemonade was purchased at Levin. The average speed travelled was estimated at from 35 to 40 miles an hour. The night was dark and it was raining heavily and visibility was poor. The accident occurred about midnight. Just prior to going over the bank the deceased stopped the car and put an oil sheet over his arm to keep out the rain. The stop was made before crossing the bridge and ascending Holden’s Hill, between Makotuku and Matama, on top gear at a speed of about ten to fifteen miles an hour. On a plan, produced, witness detailed the camber and surface of the road and said that owing to conditions, witness kept well over to the right-hand side of the road when taking the bend near the top of the hill, and the lights of the car were focussed off the road into space. The road was about fifteen feet wide at the point of the accident and was not recognised as a main highway. As the car went over deceased said “We are over.” Witness was the only one left in the car when it reached the bottom after turning over several times. Witness’ brother, Hugh, was pinned under the car and deecased and the other two passengers were lying further up the hill. Witness could not find the car jack but deceased called out that it was under the front seat. Witness then scrambled back on to the road and secured assistance from passing motorists. Deceased had a look at the damaged car and expressed the opinion that if they could get the vehicle up on to the road it would be able to proceed under its own power. The Norsewood service bus was the next vehicle to appear on the scene, and the driver and passengers, together with a Mr Bain, who lived nearby, assisted to get the injured men up on to the roadside. The passengers on the bus were put down at Norsewood and then the driver took the bus with the injured men to the Waipukurau hospital after examination by the Norsewood doctor. At the hospital deceased, Northe and Donaldson were admitted as patients.

To the Police, witness said that there was no railing or anything to indicate that the corner was such a dangerous one. Corroborative evidence was given by Hugh Anderson Thompson, farmer, Tarua, Havelock North, and a brother of deceased and also the previous witness. This witness stated that he had been pinned under the car by the front axle and detailed the steps taken in connection with the rescue work. It was very apparent that the deceased was badly hurt although he could walk with assistance. Witness did not require hospital attention as their injuries comprised mainly bruises and slight abrasions. A Tribute to Deceased. Robt. Percy Northe, assistant secretary, Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board, Napier, a brother-in-law of deceased, also tendered corroborative evidence. Witness said that he desired to draw attention to the manner

of deceased, who whilst at the car after the accident and during the journey to Waipukurau, was solicitous for the welfare of the others. Their condition was of more concern to deceased than his own injuries. Deceased Severely Injured. Evidence was tendered by Cuthbert Raymond, registered medical practitioner, Waipukurau, touching on the admission of deceased and other men to the hospital. Deceased w r as suffering considerably from shock, fractured ribs and laceration of the lung, but was quite conscious. Witness did not question deceased concerning the accident as he was not. in a fit state to give an account of it. Witness later handed the case over to Dr. Fisher, whom he was relieving. William B. Fisher, medical practitioner, Waipukurau, and acting medical superintendent at the Waipukurau Public Hospital, said that at 1.30 o’clock on the morning of August 10 th last deceased was admitted to the hospital. He was suffering with a fracture of the ribs on the right side of the chest and contusion of the right lung. Deceased developed broncho-pneumonia in both lungs and died from heart failure on August 11th, at 7.50 p.m. Deceased was not conscious when witness first saw him, but he later re- ( gained consciousness. To the Police, witness said that deceased had been too ill to give any account of the accident. In the opinion of witness the injuries were consistent with a motor car leaving the road and falling over a bank for a distance. Witness did not see deceased until about twenty hours after his admission to hospital. The Verdict. The Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that deceased, John Dempster Thompson, died in the Waipukurau Public Hospital on August 11th, 1930, as the result of injuries received in a motor accident on Holden’s Hill, between Makotuku and Matamau, on August 9th, 1930, the accident being due to error of judgment caused by the general conditions of weather, light and road. The evidence also showed that the road where the accident took place was a dangerous one, to which notice was drawn accordingly.