CROSSING FATALITY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 4

CROSSING FATALITY

COLLISION WITH TRAIN INQUEST ON VICTIM An inquest into the death of Mr William Readhead, aged 55, farmer, of Eastport Road, Waihou, was held at the Waikato Hospital yesterday afternoon by Mr F. W. Freeman, S.M., as acting coroner, in the absence from Hamilton of the coroner, Mr F. W. Platts. Constable J. Hedley represented the police. Mr Readhead had sustained extensive injuries when the motor-car he was driving collided with a train at the Herriesville crossing, Te Aroha, last Tuesday evening and he succumbed at the Waikato Hospital on Thursday morning. Deceased’s brother-in-law, Mr Harold Wagstafl, of Springdale, identified the body, and said that deceased’s eyesight was good. He was a competent driver, and also a total abstainer. The train was proceeding towards Paeroa, and witness thought the sun glare had been a main cause of the accident. He knew personally of several other accidents at that crossing. The inquest was adjourned sine die. Some confusion appears to have arisen among persons having business with the No. 4 Area Man-power Committee and the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board, both of which have their headquarters in Hamilton. The respective secretaries, Messrs P. J. Gallagher and G. J. Grace, have now been able to secure permanent office quarters in the new post office buildings, upstairs.