Inquest on Harbour Fatality

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 2

Inquest on Harbour Fatality

TRAGIC END Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 10. The story of a tragic end to wedding celebrations on the night of April 11th was unfolded before the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hnut, at the inquest into the deaths of two young women, one a bridesmaid and the other a guest, at the festivities. The victims, who were trapped, in a motor-car which plunged into the harbour from the end of the Devonport vehicular ferry landing, were Miss Elizabeth Maud Swanston, aged 21, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. N. K. Swanston, retired banker, of Takapuna, and Miss Margaret Mary Beale, aged 29, daughter of Mr. J. Beale, solicitor, of Tauranga. Miss Swanston was the bridesmaid.

After the hearing of the evidence, the verdict that the death of the two young women was due to accidental drowning through the car in which they were travelling going over the end of the ramp, was returned by the coroner, who said the accident was a most tragic and unfortunate one. It was not for him any blame was attachable to anyone, but he was going to add a rider to the effect that whether a warning light wag burning or not, or whether warning notices were sufficiently ‘distinct or not, it did not matter. The accident clearly proved that the signs were not sufficient to guard the public against such occurrences. It seemed to him a perfectly simple thing to have two great arms or gates at the end of the ramp, which would be closed after the ferriea left the wharf. He considered those in authority should forthwith take s :me steps to guard against the possibility of such accidents in future, and, if necessary, to have a man on duty there, particularly at night. The coroner added- that the young men were to be commended for the great efforts they made to save the victims.

Both counsel for the relatives expressed satisfaction that no blame at all was attachable to the driver of the can