BLACK-OUT PERILS

Evening Star, Issue 23699, 5 October 1940, Page 10

BLACK-OUT PERILS

THREE N.Z. SOLDIERS KILLED STRUCK BY BUSES AND GAR (From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z. Forces in Britain.) October 3. The danger of the English main roads in the blackout has been dearly demonstrated to the New Zealand troops m the past few days. Inquests were completed to-day on the deaths of two members of the South Island Battalion —Private David John Evans and Private Norman George Heads, who were fatally injured on successive nights by being struck by passenger buses. The findings were accidental death, with no blame attachable. Both accidents occurred when the men were returning to camp from evening leave, and each time during an air raid, when the buses are wholly unlighted except for small sidelamps (which by regulation must not throw their beams forward) and tail-lamps. Evans and a companion, Private Archibald Laing, were walking homeward along the left side of the road in order the better to pick up the side road loading to their billet, when they were struck from behind. Evans died in hospital shortly after admission, and Laing was sent to hospital with severe leg injuries. Hoads was one of a party crossing the main road to reach their billet. The men were distracted by the searchlights, the enemy planes overhead, and the anti-aircraft gunfire, and so failed to see or hoar a bus. which struck two of them just as they wore reaching the far side of the road. Heads died in hospital the next night without having regained consciousness. The authorities are still investigating the death of Sergeant Clem Wareham, of Wellington, the Plunket Shield cricketer, who. when crossing a narrow village street in the blackout, was struck bv a fast-driven motor car and killed. The ear braked and skidded after hitting Wareham, but did not stop.

The inqiiwt was adjourned for further police inquiries. All three soldiers are being buried with full military honours. A Southlander. Major Lcckie, temporarily commanding a battalion, has been promoted to temporary lieutenantcolonel.