Two Men Plunge to Death in Car

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 20

Two Men Plunge to Death in Car

BULLER GORGE FATALITY BOTH BODIES RECOVERED Press Association WESTPORT, Monday. A double fatality occurred at Blackwater Creek, Buller Gorge, late last evening, when a car plunged into the creek. The car was driven by Mr. Robert Tannahill Watson, sawmiller and chairman of directors of the Charming Creek Coal Mining Company, and with him were Mr. Stephen John Atkinson, building and bridge contractor, and Mr. Charles Buist, mining manager of the Charming Creek Coal Company. The vehicle left the road at the entrance to the Blackwater Creek’bridge and plunged down about 70ft into the creek. Mr. Watson and Mr. Atkinson were drowned. Mr. Buist had a miraculous escape and did not know what had happened until he shot up out of the water. He made for the bank and called, but could get no reply, so he went back to Berlin’s Hotel and telephoned to the police at Westport. Parties proceeded to the scene of the accident, but could do nothing till this morning, when both bodies were recovered. That of Mr. Watson was in the car. Mr. Atkinson’s was two chains downstream. Both victims were prominent residents. Mr. Watson was 63 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children. He took a keen interest in the turf. Mr. Atkinson, who was 50' years of age, leaves a widow and a family of seven. He was prominent as a cyclist about 25 years ago, when he won all cycling events entered for at Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. He was also a member of the Kawatiri crew, which held an unbeaten record at New Zealand rowing championships, winning the championship four two years in succession. An inquest opeited this afternoon for identification purposes, was adjourned until Friday.