DEAD IN CAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 278, 5 September 1936, Page 6

DEAD IN CAR

DRIVER SEATED AT WHEEL.

SOME UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES STRANGE CHRISTCHURCH CASE. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Mr Albex-t George, a tobacconist, was found dead this morning sitting in the driving seat of his car in a garage at the back of his home, at 309 Tuam Street. Evidence given at the inquest, which was opened this morning, indicated that the engine of the car had been running, and consequently would have been giving off deadly carbon monoxide fumes. After evidence of identification had been given, the Coroner (Mr Levvey, S.M.) ordered a post mortem to be made, and adjourned the inquest sine die. The only witness heard this morning was Ernest Charles Aldridge, an engineer’s turner, employed at the Addington workshops, who gave evidence of identification. Aldridge said that he shared the house in Tuam Street with George. At 8 o’clock last night George was suffering from a mild attack of influenza. About 6.45 o’clock this morning witness was called by Mrs George, who told him she had found her husband in his car in the garage. She thought he was very ill. He rushed to the garage at the rear of the house and found George sitting in the driving seat of his car. He was reclining peacefully, and witness realised that he was dead. Three doors of the cal' were closed, hut that on the front left-hand side was open. Witness added: “Furthermore, the side door of the garage and the two front doors were wide open.” There was a trace of benzine fumes in the air in the garage and there was also a slight smell of fumes in the car. He did not notice anything else unusual except that the car had been running. The radiator and engine were both warm, bait he could, not say whether or not the ignition was turned on when he went to the garage. There was a certain amount of petrol in the tank, consequently he considered the engine must have been stopped.