INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1929, Page 1

INQUEST

, nilr,l,EH. GORGE TRAGEDY. At West-port an inquest as to file ‘ deaths at Tllackwater, Bullcr Gorge, on Tuesday, of Mas Parker and her baby daughter and Mrs’Southon was held at the Police Station, by Mr E. R. box, Coroner. Evidence of identification was given by Mr Parker, who described the accident. He left Tnangaliua Junction at 6.15 p.m. for Tiroron. Near the Tiiiinellers’ camp, be drew aside to let Gibbs’ car pass. When lie was at the bend, near the Blackwater bridge, a big tree and some debris came down and hit the front of the- cab, knocking out four of the occupants. He pulled up eleven yards further on and called out. Mr Quinn, driver of Gibbs’ car, came back and they found the hoy badly injured on the road. A passenger lifted un part of the tree and (found Mrs Parker dead? the body being lmdly mutilated. The babe was found dead near the mother’s body. Later Mrs Southon was found under some- debris als' dead. 'I lie tree and debris came on them so suddenly, without warning, that they bad no time to take precaution before the accident happened. Further inuqiry was adjourned sine die. The second child, which survived the accident, is improving. The late Airs Southon was the wife of MV Thos. Southon, and leaves a husband and family of five sons and one daughter. A sister, Mrs Ren wick, is resident at Tiroron. The deceased was a fully qualified nurse and her death is a great loss to the luangahua Junction locality.