BRIDGE SPAN COLLAPSES

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1943, Page 2

BRIDGE SPAN COLLAPSES

ACCIDENT NEAR FOXTON Two Vehicles Plunged into ' River OCCUPANTS OF A THIRD MAY BE MISSING. P.A. WELLINGTON, June 3. Through the collapse of the centre span of the Whirokino bridge, which crosses the Manawatu River about four miles south of Foxton, two,, and possibly three, motor vehicles with their occupants, and two cyclists, were plunged into the river this evening. The cyclists and the occupants of two motor vehicles are known to be safe, though two persons were taken to the Palmerston North Hosiptal, but there is no trace of the occupant or occupants of a third vehicle, which it is thought may have been the first to go through. The centre span of . the bridge has fallen away "just as if it had been sawn through at each end.’’ one eye-witness states, and there is no trace of the vehicles in the water below, apart from a transport lorrj' which, because of vegetables seen risng and floating away, it is thought mav be submerged. The first vehicle to go through the hole in the bridge was a jeep, in which, it is stated, there were two Marines and a woman. One of the Marines was able to swim and

made his way to the south side of the river. His companion was aided by the woman to the northern side and was later sent to the Palmerston Hospital in an unconscious Before steps could be taken by those present to halt further traffic, a private car, in which Mr and Mrs Peacock, of the Whirokino Cut Works Camp, were on their way home from Foxton. also went through the gap. Both were able to swim ashore. Mrs Peacock received some injuries, however, and was sent to hospital with the Marine.

Two cyclists also went through the gap when travelling southward from Foxton. Both reached the bank safely.