Body of Motorist Found on Mudbank

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 1

Body of Motorist Found on Mudbank

TAMAKI FATALITY POLICE DRAG THE RIVER The body of Mr. Alexander Duthie j was found by the police on a mudbank in the Tamaki River soon after 11 j o’clock this morning. It had floated to the western side of the bridge, just behind the Middlemore golf links. Sergeant Rowell, with Constables Maloney and Kennedy, dragged the river yesterday and again this morning. Late on Tuesday evening Mr. Duthie’s car was found suspended over the parapet of the bridge across the Tamaki River on the Great South Road. The left-hand front door was open and there was no sign of the occupant. The car had sw-erved when approaching the bridge and crashed through the parapet, coming to rest against a telegraph pole. It is surmised that Mr. Duthie was thrown out into the river by the force of the impact and that, stunned by a blow against the frame-work of the ear, he was unable to swim to safety. Mr. Duthie, who resided at Waiuku, was coming into Auckland to meet his brother who was arriving by the Daylight Limited from Wellington. An inquest was opened this afternoon by Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., at the Otahnhu Police Court, and after evidence of identification was taken a post mortem was ordered. The inquest was adjourned sine die.