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Inquest in case of death by accident.
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28.—(1) Where a coroner holds an inquest on the body of any person whose death may have been caused by any accident or other occurrence of which notice is required by this Part to be given, the provisions of this section shall have effect.
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(2) The coroner shall adjourn the inquest unless—
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(a) an inspector or some other person appearing on behalf of the Minister is present to watch the proceedings, or
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(b) in case the inquest relates to the death of not more than one person and the coroner has sent to the Minister notice of the time and place of holding the inquest at such time as to reach the Minister not less than twenty-four hours before the time of holding the inquest, the majority of the jury think it unnecessary to adjourn the inquest.
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(3) If the coroner adjourns the inquest—
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(a) he may, before the adjournment, take evidence to identify the body and may order the interment of the body,
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(b) he shall, at least four days before holding the adjourned inquest, send to the Minister notice in writing of the time and place of holding the adjourned inquest.
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(4) No person having a personal interest in or employed in or about or in the management of the premises concerned shall be qualified to serve on the jury.
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(5) It shall be the duty of the person summoning the jury not to summon any person disqualified under subsection (4) and it shall be the duty of the coroner not to allow any such person to be sworn or to sit on the jury.
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(6) The following persons shall, subject to the power of the coroner to disallow any question which in his opinion is not relevant or is otherwise not a proper question, be entitled to examine any witness either in person or by counsel or solicitor:
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(a) an inspector or any other person appearing on behalf of the Minister,
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(b) any relative or friend of the person in respect of whose death the inquest is being held,
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(c) the licensee or occupier of the premises concerned,
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(d) the owner of any vehicle or master of any vessel concerned,
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(e) any person appointed in writing by the majority of the persons employed at the premises,
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(f) any person appointed in writing by any trade union, friendly society or other association of persons to which the deceased at the time of his death belonged or to which any person employed at the premises belongs,
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(g) any person appointed in writing by any association of employers of which the licensee or occupier is a member.
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(7) Where an inspector or a person on behalf of the Minister is not present at the inquest and evidence is given of any neglect having caused or contributed to the accident or occurrence, or of any defect in or about the premises appearing to the coroner or jury to require a remedy, the coroner shall send to the Minister notice in writing of the neglect or defect.
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