MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1917, Page 3

MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT.

ft Muacul.in Escapa

HAMILTON, May 29,

A sensational escape from a tragic death took place the other day at Ngarauwahia, on tho banks of the. Wai pa river. ,

It appears that Messrs Baste, Death and Bellingham, of Hamilton, were proceeding to Waingaroa in a Dodge motor car, owned by A. H. Ilyae. Upon reaching Ngauwahia it was necessary to cross tho Waipa river hy means of a punt, which has been used sine© the, collapse of the bridge. Upon approaching the punt the driver of the car called to tho ferryman to put up the barrier on the punt, and tho latter called out to come along. Tho driver then steered th© car on to the punt, and applied the brakes. It was raining at the time, and upon taking tho punt the car skidded towards tli# other ■end.. The punt immediately sloped downwards, and the car shot over tho end into twenty feet of water, carrying udth it Easte and Bellingham, (Death having jumped off as the car, came towards the punt), The position of tho unfortunate men in tho,- car seemed extremely precarious, the noonbeing up aind both men being fully clothed, having overcoats, boots ana leggings on. Tho car sank to the bottom of the river, where the inmates managed to extricate themselves and came to the surface, hut wer« carried down by the current, but eventually got ashore in a very exhausted condition. ,

A valuablo dog, the .property oi was tied in the hack oi the car was unfortunately drowned.

The car was hoisted out of the river next day, drained, and found to be none the worse for its involuntary submersion. It was driven, home on its own power, having a waterproof magneto. This ear holds tho overland record from Hamilton to Wellington!, and led th© Parliamentary Party on its recent winterless north tour.