THE MYSTERY ACCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 18925, 27 April 1925, Page 6

THE MYSTERY ACCIDENT

DEATH OF DIDL STILL NO TRACE OF HUDSON [Pkh United Phebs Association.] OAMARU, April 26._ Developments in connection with tho motor accident on the Kurow-Omarama road on Wednesday last are creating much interest throughout tho district. Olive Rutherford (aged eighteen), one of the victims of the accident, died at Kurow on Saturday night. Her body w as brought to Oamaru to-day, and a post mortem will bo held hero td-night. The inquest will bo opened at Dunedin to-morrow, and adjourned after the identification of the body, which is being taken south in the morning. Philip Hudson (aged nineteen) has not yet been found. Two cartridges were found near tho scene of the accident, one by the girl’s body, and the other beside the wrecked car.* A trail of blood led down the hillside from the girl’s body and across the river-bed to the river. A man's hat was found with holes in the top whidp mijjht have been caused by a bullet. No rifle was found. The police have been dragging the Waitaki River, and scouring the country for miles, but up till to-night no trace of tho missing man has been discovered. LITTLE KKOWH.

The tragic occurrence near Kurow, as a result of which Olive Rutherford, aged eighteen years, died at Kurow, is surrounded by a net of curious circumstances which has not yet been lifted, and which, in the event of the death of the second party, may never he lifted. The young lady, who was picked up unconscious at tho foot of tho cliff, passed away without regaining consciousness, and as far ns she is concerned, the occurrence will remain as a closed book. Philip Hudson, aged nineteen years, who it is stated, had not long returned from a trip to tho Homeland with his people, and who obtained permission from them on the Tuesday evening to use the motorcar, has not yet been found, and this aspect of tho “case still further deepens tho mystery. Tho Dunedin police do not know very much concerning the affair, and are not likely to loam until, or unless, Hudson is found. It is reported that after the young people had left, inquiry was mad©' of tho Dunedin police by_ a friend of the parents of one, ot the parties concerning their whereabouts, this of course being before the accident occurred. INQUEST TO-MORROW. A post-mortem examination of the body of the girl was made at Camara by DrS Orbell and Douglas, but the result will not be made known till tho inquest is proceeded with. Tho body of deceased will bo brought to Dunedin this afternoon, and Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. (sitting as coroner) will open an inquest at the home tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock. _ Only formal evidence of identification will be taken, and the inquest will be adjourned till a later date. STILL UNEXPLAINED. SOME FURTHER DETAILS. NO THEORY FITS ALL FACTS. [SF2CIAL TO THE ‘ STAR.’] OAMARU, April 27. The mystery is still unexplained. The death of Miss Rutherford occurred at 9 p.m. on Saturday without her regaining consciousness except to murmer “ good night ” to her mother. The body was brought to Oamaru yesterday, and the post mortem held in tho evening showed that a bullet had entered the lop of her head on the left side, emerging near the right ear. The brain was badly lacerated, and it is remarkable that she lived so long. The search parties and dragging operations have yielded no sign of Hudson, It is generally believed that he is in the river, but it is quite possible that h» is in the back country, where he might, remain a long time if assisted. A warrant was issued for the arrest of, Hudson on a charge of attempted murder on Thursday. Holes apparently caused by bullets appear in the girl’s and Hudson’s hats, which were found near the injured girl. It is extremely unlikely that tho perforation in Hudson's iuit was selfinflicted while he was wearing it, since it is right on the top,_ A large force.-of police will he on the river on Wednesday and 1 nuvsfiay, when it is expected that the body, if there, will rise. Meantime the search is continuing. No theory will explain all the details. It is extremely doubtful if Hudson was in the car when it went over. Probably the girl was. and was shot afterwards. There were no bloodstains in the car. Two cartridge cases were found near the girl, and the police know that Hudson took a ■Winchester .22 automatic away in tho car from Dunedin, U was hoped to find the riflo in the river, hut there was no sign of it. It will probably remain a mystery for all time.