MOTOR-LORRY BURNT'

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 4

MOTOR-LORRY BURNT'

Mr. D. Priest Injured EXPLOSION OF BENZINE LOAD As a result of an accident 19 '* which a lorry which he wae driving, and which was loaded with benzine, caught fire laet night, Mr David Priest, of 1# Aute, is # patient in Royston Hospital suffering from severe burns. His condition this morning was reported as painful but not serious. The accident had not been reported to the Hastings police this mornizg, and it has not yet been possible to find out the details’ of how it happened. Apparently the lorry was being driven by Mr David Priest with hie father, Mr George Priest, as a passenger. Mr George Priest was not injured. The vehicle was loaded with 120 gallons of benzine, and a passer-by stated that when he saw it Mr George Priest was standing some distance away waiting for the benzine to explode. It was impossible to do anything towards subduing the flames or taking the benzine oft the vehicle, and there was no alternative to letting the fir? take its course. The fire made an alarming sight, and ultimately the benzine exploded with a sound that startled the whole settlement. The accident occurred near tho Pakipaki limeworks, and the vehicle was completely destroyed.