CAR CRASHES THROUGH BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 29 September 1922, Page 3

CAR CRASHES THROUGH BRIDGE.

AND SOMERSAULTS INTO RIVER

OCCUPANTS’ LUCKY ESCAPE. Aii accident occurred at the Waitohu bridge on Wednesday through a car smashing through the side oi the bridge and tumbling into the river below. This took place at about 5.15, th,e ear being driven by Mr Barton, of Featherston, who was accompanied by two young ladies, the Misses Freed, and the party was proceeding to Tokomaru to Mr G. Craw’s. The car was travelling at a fair pace, and in turning to cross the bridge the vehicle skidded and crashed into ihe railing. This was carried away by the impact, and in an instant the car had plunged headlong over the side, and tunnng a somersault, dropped 12 leet into the river below'. The occupants wjsre pinned underneath, but fortunately lor them there was not more than a foot of water in the river.

Luckily, the accident was witnessed by two young men, Messrs. Webby and Field, who rushed to the scene and succeeded in levering the car ujT and freeing Mr Barton and the ladies. The latter were sent to a private hospital at Otaki, where it was ascertained they were suffering from nothing more serious shock. Mr Barton was found to have injured a leg, but not seriously. Tbe escape from serious injury in the circumstances is indeed fortunate.

The car, which was a steam-driven Standard machine oi 1920 model, was badly damaged. All the upper portion was smashed to pieces, and the steam pipes burst, the four wheels being the only portions that remained, intact. BRIDGE TO BE, CLOSED. All the side railing of the bridge was carried away, and as repairs to this and other portions of the structure will occupy some 'taiine, it has been decided to close the. bridge till repairs are effected. There is a good ford alongside the bridge, however, so that traffic should not be greatly interfered with. The Waitohu bridge, which is a''small structure within a mile or two of Otaki, is one of those that were the subject oi inspection by a Public Works engineer recently at the instance of the Horowhenua County Council, with a view to repairs being made.