A CAMP TRAGEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19442, 30 October 1925, Page 5

A CAMP TRAGEDY

♦ MAN WHO WANDERED AWAY. INQUEST OPENED. An inquest concerning the death of Hugh Patrick Killen was opened at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning before the District Coroner, Mr. J. J. Pilkington, J.P. William John Killen said he was a brother of the deceased. His brother had been missing since September 24. He had viewed the body in the morgue and had identified it as that of his brother. Timothy James Riorden stated that he was acquainted with the deceased. He had worked with him at previous camps. He had identified the body. Arthur Jennings staid he was employed at the same camp as that of the deceased. Prior to his disappearance, Killen had had a fortnight’s holiday in Wanganui and returned to the camp on September 22. Ho was about the camp all that afternoon. The following day was wet land the men did not go to work. Killen appeared to be in good health. Witness last saw him going to bed that night. When witness woke up at daylight the next morning, he found Killen’s candle burning but the deceased was missing. He called a man named Burns. The latter said he wias with the deceased ail night and till about 4.30 a.m. as Killen had developed delirium tremens. Shortly after Burns went to sleep. When the deceased was found to be missing the camp was divided and a search was made for him. Constable Rogers who Was in the vicinity at the time also joined in the search. Owing to the heavy rains, the Mangawhero river was running high, and no trace could bo found of the missing man. The river was within half a chain of the camp. The inquest was then adjourned until such time as the police could get in touch with the man who last saw deceased.