TRUCK'S TRAGIC PLUNGE

Chronicle (Levin), 31 October 1949, Page 4

TRUCK'S TRAGIC PLUNGE

Press Association )

Woman And Her Two Children Killed

(Per

GISBORNE, Oct. 31. A mother and fier° two children were khled late yesterday when a light truck skilled out of control light truck skidded out of control Gisborne, and plunged down a 100 foot incline. The victims were: Mrs. Patricia Kathleen Ellis, aged 24, wif^ of -Maurice Melville Eilis, of -Tahora Station; William Lordon Ellis, aged three, and Patricia Fay Ellis, aged 12 months, the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. • Maurice M. Ellis and his sister, Mrs. Melville Jeffreys, were admitted to hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be serious. The truck turned over several times, hurling the occupants on to the hillside. Eight persons were on the truck at the time. Mr. Ellis, who was driving, was accompanied in the cab by his wife and two children, and Mrs. Jeffreys, whose husband and two young men were riding on the tray. The truck got out of control traversing an incline and broadsided over the edge of the narrow road in a rolling fall. It bounced over a small -gully at the bottom and came to rest on its wheels, but With the cab almost disintegrated. Mrs. Ellis and the children were thrown out of the burst open door and were apparently rolled on. The husband was thrown out the right door. Mrs. Jeffreys was earried . down -the hillside and not thrown out until the truck bounded over the creek. She had a miraculous escape, being lightly pinned under the running board.