WOMAN'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19731, 23 September 1929, Page 2

WOMAN'S DEATH.

INQUEST ADJOURNED. An inquest into the death of 13is&beth Hodge, who was injured in » motor accident on September Ist, and who died at the Christchurch Hospital on Friday last, was opened at the Hospital on Saturday evening before Mr H. P. Lawry, Coroner. George Thomas Hodge, husband of deceased and track superintendent for the Christchurch Tramway Board, gave evidence of the ciroumstanoes of the accident. H"e had driven out to Eyrewell, about 35 miles from Christchurch on Sunday, September Ist having with him his wife and two other passengers, one of them being a child. He left Eyrewell at 5.25 p.m. and the accident, which took place at Hay ward's Corner, Clarkville, about 191 miles further on, occurred at 7 p.m. The' car ran on to some loose shingle, and in witness's opinion one of the front wheels must have struck a pot-hole or a large stone, for the car swerved, swung round, a front wheel collapsed, and the machine turned on its side, throwing out the four occupants, including the driver. All were more or lees injured and his wife had heavy cuts on her head and forehead Witness came to, in a few seconds, and beyond the injuries which his wife received, she was then quite normal. A passing car took Mrs Hodge to the Brocklehurst Private Hospital, Rangiora, where she was attended to by Dr. Will. She was removed to the Christchurch Hospital on the 3rd, but her condition did not improve, and she died on Friday last. The car was an Overland, only a few years old, and was in good order in every way Witness's speed when the r>ar ran on to the shingle was under 20 miles an hour. The whole journey from Eyrewell to Christchurch usually took him from 2| to 2i hours to perform. He had had three years' driving experience and averaged about 70 mi'es a day in the course of his work. The evidence of Dr. Will is to be taken at Rangiora to-morrow, and the inquest will conclude on Wednesday.