MOTORING TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 9

MOTORING TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS.

EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION.

(From Otte Own Coeeespondkm*.) MILTON, February 2. The inquest on the victims or the motoring tragedy near Milton on Wednesday night was formally opened at Milton Courthouse at noon yesterday before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., sitting as coroner. Constable Johnstone (at present acting locally as relieving officer) appeared on behalf of the police. John Imrie, farmer, Mosgiel, gave evidence as to the identity of Joseph Biggins. He said he knew the deceased well. The car was owned by Mr Biggins. In reply to a question by the Coroner, the Constable said he had not yet been able to ascertain who was driving the car when the accident occurred.

Alexander Browne Armour, jun., sales manager, Anderson’s Bay, identified the body of Mr Armour as that of his father, who was a retired man, living in Forbury road, St. Clair. His father was 64 years of age. He could drive a motor car. , John Downey, dairy factory employee, Mosgiel, identified the body of M Wilkins, who was his uncle. He was aged about 50 years, and lived in retirement at Mosgiel. This completed the evidence', and the coroner formally adjourned the inquest sine die, to enable the police to collect evidence bearing on the fatality. THE FUNERALS. The funerals of the victims will take place this afternoon. Mr Armour is to be interred at Anderson’s Bay Cemetery; Mr Wilkins at the Southern Cemetery. Dunedin; and Mr Biggins at the Mosgiel Cemetery. MR HILL’S INJURIES. Inquiries at the Chalet Hospital last night show that Mr L. G. Hill, the only survivor of the motoring tragedy on Wednesday night, is- progressing favourably, and his injuries are not so serious as was first thought, consisting only of a fractured collarbone, scalp bruises, and several minor abrasions. ;; DAMAGE TO CAR. The five-seater Buick car, which was being driven at the time of the accident, was damaged as the result of its triple somersault, but the damage suffered is not quite so serious as might have been anticipated. The framework of the hood ib badly crushed, portion of the steering wheel was snapped off, right front mudguard very badly bent, the windscreen broken and framework bent, and the radiator damaged. Otherwise the body framework of the car shows no signs .of damage, and the engine was running until switched off.