INQUEST OPENED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 11

INQUEST OPENED

EVIDENCE OF DOCTOR FLYING TRAGEDY An inquest into the death of the two flyers was opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. coroner, this afternoon. After evidence o£ identification had been taken the coroner quoted from the medical report. Death in both cases was probably due to drowning. Alec Leslie Harkness, a farmer, of Te Kauwhata, a brother of deceased, gave evidence of identification. The late Mr. Harkness was a lecturer on civil engineering at the Auckland University College. He was married, with two children, and lived at Takutai Street, Parnell. His age was 34. Charles Field Goldsboro’s body was identified by Henry Edgar Goldsboro, a civil engineer of St. Heliers Bay. Witness was a brother of deceased, whose age he gave as 39. Deceased was a mechanical engineer living at Wakefield Street, City. He had had no flying experience as far as witness knew. 7 The coroner remarked that he had received a report from the doctor. It appeared that death was due to drowning, though it vras probable that both men had been unconscious through injury: They had also apparently suffered burns. “Apparently they were going to try out the machine next week prior to applying v v a licence,” added the magistrate. “We have asked Major L. M. Isitt to prepare a report on the tragedy.” The reports furnished by Dr. W. Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, stated that both bodies had been viewed at the morgue. On the body of Captain Harkness were superficial burns on both arms. There were cuts on the head and face and several teeth were broken. Death liad probably been due to drowning. Dr. Gilmour gave a similar statement in regard to the body of Mr. Goldsboro, adding that, in that case, there were a fracture of the left ankle, a compound fracture of the right leg just below the knee and a compound fracture of the nose. The inquest was adjourned sine die.