FATAL ACCIDENT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 128, 28 February 1928, Page 10

FATAL ACCIDENT

MOTOR-CAR GOES OVER , BANK MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN KILLED VICTIMS PRECIPITATED INTO LAGOON Tragedy overtook a Nelson family, returning by motor-car from a week-end in Blenheim, at about II o’clock on Sunday night. At a spot on the NelsonBlenheim road, where several accidents have happened in recent years, the car plunged down a 30ft. bank into a deep lagoon, resulting in the death of Airs. J. Hickey and her two children. Dominion Special Service. Nelson, February 27. A very sad accident occurred on the Nelson-Blenheim road last night. Air. J. Hickey was returning to Nelson with his family from a week-end in Blenheim. They were accompanied by Air. Bernard West and by Alervyn Stewart, a nephew of Airs. Hickey’s. About three miles this side of Havelock, the Nelson-bound car, just after passing a car coming in the opposite direction, ran across' the road and plunged down a 30ft. bank into a 15ft. deep lagoon. As it was very dark and raining at the time, what actually happened is not known, but apparently Airs Hickey and her children were imprisoned by the car. Air. West, who is a powerful swim mer, brought Air. Hickey and Alervyn Stewart out of the water, but he was unable to locate any of the others. The victims are: Mrs. Hickey; Lillian Hickey, 9 years; Maurice Hickey, 3 years. Search For Victims. When some other motorists came along a little later an attempt was made to raise the vehicle. The wheels, however, became wedged against the bank, and efforts had to be abandoned until daybreak. When the light came a search was made for tlie bodies, and it was reported at 10 o’clock this morning that Airs. Hickey’s body and that of the little girl had been recovered. By midday the little bov’s body had also’ been recovered, and all three were removed to Havelock. The car, too, was got out, but it was little damaged. West pulled Stewart out. He then dived in for Hickey, and had to take him to the further bank. West dived twice down to the sunken car and groped round inside the hood, but without result. Some Afaoris brought a length of rope along and towed Hickey across to the road. "Noticed Nothing Wrong.” It is now ascertained that the car which passed Hicky at the time of the accident was driven by Airs. H. White, of Havelock. Airs. White noticed nothing wrong. Air. Charlie Alaule, of the Rai Valiev, who was motoring immediately behind Hickey, saw the accident and rendered assistance. The lad Stewart was sent to hospital with injured shoulders and severe shock The three bodies were taken into the Havelock Cottage Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was performed bv Dr. McClymont. 'The indications are that all were dead before tlie car struck the water. The little bov has a fracture at the base of the skull, the girl a broken neck, and the mother serious head injuries. Several similar accidents have happened at this spot, and after a car went over there last vear a substantial fence was put up. Hickev’s car, however, went over just past the fence on the Havelock side.