THREE KILLED
SERIOUS MOTOR SMASH.
CAR OVERTURNS.
WELL-KNOWN SPORTSMEN DEAD.
[BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 1. A motor accident involving three deaths occurred to-night about a quarter of a mile south of Milton. A car containing A. B. Armour, a wellknown retired farmer and the owner of racehorses, Joseph Biggins, recently appointed handicapper to the Dunedin Jockey Club, Thomas Wilkins, owner and trainer, Mosgiel, all of whom were killed, and L. G. Hill, secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club, was returning from the Tapanui races at an extremely fast pace.
It is thought that while they were endeavouring to pass another car going in the same direction, one of the rear tyres blew out. The car zig-zagged across the road and then somersaulted at a dip on the roadside, two of the occupants being thrown out and pinned beneath the rear of the car.
Aid was quickly summoned and the men were extricated, but it was found that Armour and Biggins were dead. Another occupant of the car was lying huddled in the hack seat unconscious and suffering from severe bruises. The fourth had been thrown out on the roadside, and was also unconscious when picked up.
Wilkins was found to be suffering from a severely fractured skull and was removed to the Milton Hospital, where he died about 1 o’clock without recovering consciousness.
Hill was also found to be suffering from injuries to the skull, fractured ribs, injuries to one hand and numerous bruises. After receiving medical attention he was taken by car to Dunedin and admitted to the Chalet Hospital.
Mr Hill was well known in Hawera, for he was resident here for some years, being associated with the firm of Messrs Welsh and McCarthy. He was a prominent Rugby footballer, and played for Taranaki in the match when they won the Ranfurly Shield. -Hawera Star, 2/2/1928.
MOTORING TRAGEDY.
INQUEST ON VICTIMS.
EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) MILTON, February 2. The inquest on the victims or the motoring tragedy near Milton on Wednesday night was formally opened at Milton Courthouse at noon yesterday before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., sitting as coroner.
Constable Johnstone (at present acting locally as relieving officer) appeared on behalf of the police.
John Imrie, farmer, Mosgiel, gave evidence as to the identity of Joseph Biggins. He said he knew the deceased well. The car was owned by Mr Biggins.
In reply to a question by the Coroner, the Constable said he had not yet been able to ascertain who was driving the car when the accident occurred.
Alexander Browne Armour, jun., sales manager, Anderson’s Bay, identified the body of Mr Armour as that of his father, who was a retired man, living in Forbury road, St. Clair. His father was 64 years of age. He could drive a motor car.
John Downey, dairy factory employee, Mosgiel, identified the body of M Wilkins, who was his uncle. He was aged about 50 years, and lived in retirement at Mosgiel.
This completed the evidence, and the coroner formally adjourned the inquest sine die, to enable the police to collect evidence bearing on the fatality.
THE FUNERALS.
The funerals of the victims will take place this afternoon. Mr Armour is to be interred at Anderson’s Bay Cemetery; Mr Wilkins at the Southern Cemetery. Dunedin; and Mr Biggins at the Mosgiel Cemetery.
MR HILL’S INJURIES.
Inquiries at the Chalet Hospital last night show that Mr L. G. Hill, the only survivor of the motoring tragedy on Wednesday night, is progressing favourably, and his injuries are not so serious as was first thought, consisting only of a fractured collarbone, scalp bruises, and several minor abrasions.
DAMAGE TO CAR.
The five-seater Buick car, which was being driven at the time of the accident, was damaged as the result of its triple somersault, but the damage suffered is not quite so serious as might have been anticipated. The framework of the hood is badly crushed, portion of the steering wheel was snapped off, right front mudguard very badly bent, the windscreen broken and framework bent, and the radiator damaged. Otherwise the body framework of the car shows no signs of damage, and the engine was running until switched off. -Otago Daily Times, 3/2/1928.
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