Cody V. Hody Case

The inquest into the disaster that befell Samuel Cody’s machine was conducted by the Deputy Coroner Mr. H.M Foster. The foreman of the jury was Mr. T. J. Wilkes. In addition to the witnesses that would be called to give evidence the following were also in attendance: Mrs. Cody and her family, their legal representative, Mr. F. P. Timmens of Messrs Amery, Parkes, and Co., solicitors of London, Mr. A. H. Evans, uncle of the late Mr. Evans, and the makers of the ‘Green’ engine which had been fitted to the machine.
Opening the inquest Mr Foster informed the jury that he did not think he need detain them long in opening the case because what had happened was well-known and the facts in detail would be brought out by the witnesses. He also informed the jury that an expert examination of the …show more content…
What I want to know is whether the front part went on at all without anybody or whether it fell at once?’ ‘It fell in a very short distance.’
‘Had the front and back parts broken right apart, do you think?’ ‘I could not see.’
‘When you say the back part broke, you do not mean it came right off. Was the machine going fast, do you think?’ ‘He was going at the rate that he usually goes.’
‘Are you uncertain whether the front part broke right away?’ ‘I should say it did.’
‘Can you say who fell out first?’ ‘Mr. Cody.’
‘When did the other fall out? Almost immediately afterwards?’ - ‘Yes.’
‘Were they both in the air at the same time, or was one on the ground when the other fell out?’ ‘I did not notice. I was running to the spot.’
‘They fell out almost at the same time?’ ‘Yes; as soon as Mr. Cody left, the passenger came