ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 31 March 1909, Page 4

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A MYSTERIOUS DEATH. •AN OPEN VERDICT. [United Press Association".] Christchurch, March 30. The inquest concerning the death of Andrew Douglas Hardie, aged 70 years, whose body was found lying outside a. cottage at Dudley Creek last Sunday week, was resumed this afternoon by Mr H. W. Bishop, the district Coroner, and a jury. When the inquest was opened last week the medical evidenca given was to the ettect that the old man's spine was dislocated, eight ribs on the right" side ot his body were broken, and had penetrated the lungs. The injuries might have been caused by a blow on the side, and they were all antemortem. They might have been caused by a motor car striking the man's back and side. There were no external marks of violence. If deceased .was struck by a car, it was possible there would bo no marks, because death followed so quickly after the blow. Deceased wduld not have been able to walk from the scene of the accident to the place where the body was toUiid, a distance of fifteen-yards, and it was absolutely impossible for him to stoop, therefore he could not have placed a kit under his head. The inquest was then adjourned for further enquiries t-> he made.by the.pohce. To-daythe driver and occupants of a taxi : cab which passed the locality on the night the man was found, stated they nei.h- -- saw -tha man nor felt-any shock. An. open verdict was returned by- the jury. ' ______