A NARROW ESCAPE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1920, Page 1

A NARROW ESCAPE

■ CROSSING LITI'LE WANGANUI. Oil Wednesday morning Mr H. M. Houston and party motoring to the stock sales at Waitangi that day, had a very narrow escape when crossing the Little Wanganui river in a Ford car towed by a hbrse. Mr Houston was ac_ Coinponied by Mrs Houston 'and Mr <T. Dick of Reefton. When the river was reached, it was found to bo in slight flood, and the horse ferry was requisitioned. The lad in charge elected to try an upper crossing where there was a fall, and the car made its way up the north bank. In crossing the river, the water proved to be deep, and about midway the rushing water banked up against the side of the car arid flowed over the door into the ear. This increased the load and ■ the horse stopped. Immediately it did so the weight of the water began to shift the car downstream, and the car and occupants were over the fall and afloat. Hie cm was carried down some two or three hundred yards, when fortunately \it grounded near the north bank, and Aji Houston was able to get bis wife out and partly ashore. Considering Mrs Houston safe in charge of the ferry lad, Mr Houston returned to try and salvage the car, but soon after re-entering the machine, the car began to move, and almost immediately capsized. Mr Houston escaped by the upper side of the car, and stood in deep water, above his middle. Mr Dick was not so foitunate, and when the car settled down again found himself' pinned under the car. Mr Houston went to his friend’s assistance, and just then the car took another roll, and Mr Dick had a providential escape in such speedy release. Meanwhile the hoy seeing the accident had gone to help the men at the car, and Mrs Houston was making her way ns best she could ashore. Apparently the lady got into a deep hole, and went down, and she was in a dangerous predicament and quite unable to help herself, loaded with her wraps. Mr Houston was able to reach her in time and get her ashore, but Mrs Houston was considerably -n'pset alid badly bruised with the force of the water rushing against the submerged boulders. The occupants thus finally reached dry land in safety, but all wet through. The river in the meantime took charge of the car which was again overturned. By this time all the luggage and belongings within the car had gone downstream. The car itself was badly

damaged. The hood was bent and broken, the wind screen carried away and lost, and the bonnet swept away. One wheel was badly buckled and out of action, and both axles were broken. The ‘clothing was found in parts strewn along the river bench. Horses were re. quisitioned to try and recover the damaged car, and ultimately four horses bad to be secured before it was possible to get the wrecked car ashore. • From the time of entering the river till the car was recovered, over five hours vcic consumed, so that it will be seen that the unfortunate experience was Jong drawn out. At Ferguson Bros the misfortunate ones were made as comfortable as possible, and Mr Houston was able to send on word of bis inability to proceed to Wataroa stock sale, and sent a message asking Mr Jeffries to take bis place on the rostrum. , Tlie escape of the oedupants of the car ,it will be seen w ; as almost miraculous.’ The incident shows the risk run in attempting to cross the south river? in flood. Surely the public;will welcome the erection of the Tuttle Wanganui traffic bridge, and now that so much

money has been voted for the work, tlio people at largo will expect the amount to ho expended without undue delay. The principals in the recent incid'ent are to he congratulated on their fortunate escape, and no doubt they will join in the general demand which should he made now for the erection of the much required bridge at Little Wanganui.