Hit And Run Motorist Kills Ruakaka Woman

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1948, Page 4

Hit And Run Motorist Kills Ruakaka Woman

MRS DOROTHY AUSTIN, 39, of Ruakaka, Whangarei, was killed on Saturday night when struck by a car a mile and a quarter north of Drury. The car did not stop. Mrs Austin is the mother of seven children and lived with her husband, Mr Edgar Austin, at Marsden Point.

She was on holiday at the home of her sister, Mrs Margaret Young, Great South Road, Drury. •

wheels in the ditch before regaining the road. It did not stop.

Mrs Young suffered severe shock, but escaped serious injury. She suffered abrasions to the right side of her body, which might have resulted from her being struck a glancing blow by Mrs Austin’s body after the ipipact. SUMMONED POLICE After finding her sister, Mrs Young called to the people in her home a few yards away. Her son, Mr Cyril Young, went out and summoned the police. An inquest into Mrs Austin’s death was opened yesterday morning and adjourned. Police said yesterday they would appreciate any information from motorists who were near the scene at •the time.

Deciding to go to the pictures at Papakura they went to a neighbour’s home to phone for a taxi. After making the call the women were walking back to Mrs Young’s house when the accident occurred.

CARRIED 110 FEET Travelling in a northerly direction, the car was overtaking the two pedestrians when it struck Mrs Austin, who was on the outside.

She was picked up bodily and carried 110 ft before being deposited in a ditch. Her clothing was extensively torn.

After throwing off Mrs Austin, the vehicle continued for 53ft with ‘two