NARROW ESCAPE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 30, 28 September 1931, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE

Press Association-

fall into gorge car with two passengers drops two hundred feet • DANGEROUS MOTU ROAD

— Copyright.

By Telephone— "Post" Special Service. GISBORNE, Sunday. A marvellous escape from death or at least terrible injuries occurred on the Opotilci-Motu Road on Saturday morning when a practically new three-seater car, containing two young men, Mr. F. C. Calrk, a solicitor, and Dr. Barraclough, both of Waihi, went over a clifT to the bottom of a gorge some 200 feet below. The mishap accurred about five miles on the Motu side of Toatoa, about noon, and at the time heavy rain was falling. The car somesaulted on the way down and when it came to rest on the bottom, Dr. Barraclough was still inside partly conscious, having suffered injuries to his head. Mr. Clark, who was suffering from cuts and bruises, was the first to recover and made a strenuous climb up the face of the gorge. On reaching the road he wandered along and finally met a roadman. The two went back to the spot, but as cars were heard. approaching, they waited -for help. A service car and two private cars came up and there was then .a party of twelve ready to make the descent. By this time the rain was coming down in torrents and the party had a very uncomfortable experience. At the bottom the car was found to be smashed beyond repair. With timber lying about a stretcher was improvised and the upward climh with Dr. Barraclough commenced.

Eventually the ridge was reached and Dr. Barraclough was transferred to the service car. Word had been sent on ahead to Motu and the party was met by the district nurse at Matawa, who rendered first aid and the injured man was brought on to Cook

Hospital, Gisborne, wnere yesterday bis condition was reported as satisfactory. Mr. Clarke was also admitted to the hospital, where his cuts and bruises were attended to. 'It is considered fortunate by the relief party that Mr. Clark was not injured sufRcidntly to prevent his climbing to the top of the ridge, for had he not done so, both men would probably have died. The face of the gorge was so steep that the car could not be seen from the road and there was no indication on the highway that the car had gone over the side. Dr. Barraclough and Mr. Clark left Waihi for a four days' tour and intended spending yesterday in Gisborne, going on to Napier to-morrow and setting out for home via Taupo on Tuesday.