Young Man Killed And Father Injured

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 679, 3 June 1929, Page 1

Young Man Killed And Father Injured

CAR FALLS_OVER BANK LIGHTS FAIL AT BAD BEND Press Association TE KUITI, Today. A serious motoring accident occurred on the main road to New Plymouth, about two miles from Te Kuiti, last evening, resulting In the death of one man, and his father being severely injured. Those concerned in the accident were:— KILLED Desmond George Mathew, 23, clerk, of Auckland. INJURED Inspector James Mathew, 67, formerly of Greymouth, bruises and shock. and son left Auckland on Saturday morning for Mahoenui, 30 miles from Te Kuiti. Inspector Mathew was driving. When negotiating a hairpin bend, the lights suddenly failed, and the car went over a bank 30 feet, struck a stump, and turned a somersault. Both occupants were pinned underneath. Mr. Desmond Mathew was killed by suffocation through being pinned on the chest and neck. His father received only minor injuries, but suffered from considerable shock. He was pinned down by the steering wheel, and an hour and a-half passed before he could attract the attention of a passing motorist, though many passed, by. The young man died instantaneously, and the father had a trying ordeal, waiting for assistance. At the inquest held last evening, a verdict of accidental death was returned, the coroner adding a rider that this spot should be safeguarded for motorists. Mr. Mathew, sen., recently retired from the police force, with the rank of inspector. He is well known in Te Kuiti, Hamilton, and Greymouth. Mr. Mathew is in the hospital in Te Kuiti suffering from shock. Mr. Mathew, jun., was employed in an Auckland office.