MOTOR CAR SMASH.

Otaki Mail, 29 September 1922, Page 2

MOTOR CAR SMASH.

OCCUPANTS THROWN INTO RIVER. ROAD CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC. A miraculous escape from serious accident occurred to Mr Barton and two companions, Misses Freed (2) near Otaki on Wednesday night. The party were proceeding to Linton a few minutes after 5 p.m., and when approaching the Wuitoliu river the driver failed to negotiate the bend at the bridge and in consequence the car struck the right-hand side of the structure. carrying away nearly forty feet of the railing. It fell into the river, and in doing so turned a somersault and landed with the wheels uppermost. The occupants were partially pinned underneath, but. luckily, the accident was witnessed by two young men, Percy Webby and Field, who immediately went to the scene. They managed to liberate the trio, but the young ladies were badly shaken and bruised, and in consequence were taken to Moutete Hospital by Mr Fid Stovers, who imp-

pened to he passing just niter the a**, evident occurred. They were found also to he suffering from shock. Mr ton luckily escaped with a slight injury to his leg. The ear fell a distance of nhout twelve feel, while the water was about a foot deep and the hed covered with large stones, therefore it will he seen that the party was indeed fortunate in not meeting with more serious injuries. The motor car. a Stanley. IOIM model (steam) was very badly damaged, met of the parts being broken or bent, the only parts remaining whole being the wheels. A number of men were on the scene early in the morning and by 1 I.eO the car was pulled to the roadside, and eventually taken to Messrs Ayre l>ro-.’ The road has non been closed <‘ M r traffic, and Mr W. N. Anderson (County Idngineer) and a staff of men arc busily engaged effecting repairs. Timber is expected . for the bridge at any time, but it is anticipated that to carry out necessary repairs will take about three weeks. The decking, which iof rimu. is in a rotten state and ejuit** unsafe* for heavy traffic, therefore tin* engineer considers the time opportune to have the work done. In the meantime motor-cars and other vehicles will have to make use <»f the ford. which ia good one. It is hoped at a later date to have concrete piers.