MOTOR FATALITY

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 23

MOTOR FATALITY

CAR GOES OVER BANK ST. HILDA RESIDENT KILLED. While returning to Dunedin after a business visit to Port Chalmers on Friday William Lang, a middle-aged married man, residing at 54 Grove street. St. Kilda, jnet with an accident and received injuries which proved fatal. The accident occurred about a mile from Port Chalmers, the car going off the road and sliding about SO yards down a steep bank into a bog. The car was badly damaged, and the deceased, who was the only occupant, received injuries to his head, which are thought to have been the cause of his death a short time afterwards. The accident was first discovered by a ganger named D. * Hewitson, who summoned the police and Dr Edgar, of Port Chalmers, but Mr Lang succumbed to his injuries a few moments after the ariyal of the doctor. When examined by the police shortly after the accident, the road showed no signs of any skidding by the car, and no reason for the driver having allowed it to leave the road. Mr Lang joined the staff of Messrs Thomson and Bridger in 1898, and filled the position of accountant with .that firm for a number of years. Some 10 or 12 years ago he aequnred an interest in the confectionery business conducted under the style of Clarkson and Lang, and it was while he was engaged in the business of the firm that he met his death. Mr Lang, who was of a bright and genial disposition, and was highly esteemed by all' who knew him, is survived by his wife and three children—two girls (who are well known in swimming circles) and a boy. It is a tragic coincidence that his father, Captain Lang, was killed at - Whangarei some years ago as the result of being crushed by a log. x INQUEST OPENED. An inquest on the body of William Lang, who met' his death when the car he was driving went over a bank about a mile on the town side of Port Chalmers on Friday night, was opened before Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., on Saturday morning. Sergeant M'Carthy represented the police. After evidence of identification had been taken, the inquest was adjourned sine die.