TRUCK DRIVER DROWNED

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1947, Page 7

TRUCK DRIVER DROWNED

— ■ * - y NELSON, June 26. Trapped in the cab of a motor truck, Mr. John Condell, a young man whosn mother resideS in Nelson, was drowned in the Mangels river near Murchison this morning. Two other oceiipants of tlve vehiele had narrow escapes from drowning. The truck left the road aud plunged down a bank, into the heavily fiooded river. Mr. Condell was driving the truck and had with him Messrs T. and H. Monahan. They were travelling along Mangles road when, at a narrow place, they endeavoured to pass a car driven by Mr. H. Ellison. The truck left the road and went down the fairly steep bank into the water which was running strongly. Mr. Condejj. was not seen after ihe vehiele entered the water and the two others were washed down the river for several chains before they were able to halt their progress by clinging to a tree on the bank. In the mcantime Mr. Ellison had obtaiued a >'ope and with this he was able to pull the two men to safety. The truck was washed down the river. A sea'rch for Mr. Condell 's body was started soon after the accident. He was about 21 vears of age, was working on a farm at Murchison, and was a son of Mrs. E. J. Condell, Halifax Street, Nelson.