TWO KILLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 935, 31 March 1930, Page 1

TWO KILLED

CAR PLUNGES OYER 70FOOT BANK FATALITY NEAR OPOTIKI From Our Otcn Correspondent OPOTIKI, Today. A shocking motor fatality occurred yesterday afternoon on the Upper Waioeka Road. IT miles from Opotiki. ■when Mr. Frederick Crackuell, aged 60, and his wife were killed as a result of a motor-car leaving the road and plunging over a 70-foot bank to a river below. Mr. F. Cracknel], who was employed by the Public Works Department on the Waioeka Road, was killed instantly, while his wife received head injuries, from which she died in the Opotiki Hospital at 6.45 this evening. The car had been bought only about a. month ago, and Mr. Cracknell was known to be rather nervous when driving. It appeared from marks on the road that he had approached a corner too close to the bank, and to avoid it swung the car across the road at a sharp angle. It fell over the side and careered down the steep slope. Mr. Cracknell was thrown into a waterfall in the river, the car continuing a further SO feet before Mrs. Cracknell was thrown clear into about a foot of water. Although terribly injured about the head, she dragged herself to the bank, from which her cries were heard by two men who were passing along the road above. The men first reached Mr. Cracknell, who was found to be dead. They then climbed down to where Mrs. Cracknell lay, and after considerable difficulty were able to carry her to the road. Dr. Candy arrived soon afterward, and after he had attended to Mrs. Cracknell she was taken by car to the hospital. INQUEST OPENED Prom Our Oicn Correspondent OPOTIKI, Today. The inquest concerning the victims of the Opotiki motor accident was opened this morning before the coroner, Mr. F. J. Short. Charles Ernest Owen gave evidence jof identification and said that de ceased bought a second-hand car a ; fortnight ago. He had only had two i driving lessons, and had no driver's ! licence. Mrs. Tuke, of Te Kavaka. I was deceased's nearest relative, and j as far as he knew, yesterday was the first time that deceased had driven I alone. Tho inquest was adjourned at i this stage.

STRANGE ACCIDENT BROTHERS IN HEAD-ON COLLISION MOTOR-CYCLING MISHAP When their motor-cycles collided at the corner of St. Heliers Bay Road and Howick Road shortly after seven o’clock last evening, two brothers, Norman Harold Church and Joseph Church, of Point England Road, West Tamaki, received injuries. Harold Church, aged 21, received a fracture of the rignt leg, and v.as removed to the Auckland Hospital, while his brother was treated -for :t lacerated leg and was able to proceed home. One of the brothers was riding from home and the other was returning, when they met in a head-on collision. A pillion-rider on one of the machines experienced a narrow escape. The motor-cycles escaped se-ious damage

HEAD-ON COLLISION MOTOR-CYCLE CRASH KILLS RIDER ANOTHER BADLY HURT Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. George Albert Broadfoot, aged 23. died in the hospital last evening from injuries received in a head-on collision between two motor-cycles at Karori yesterday. The other rider, I). M. Smith, was badly injured. MOTORIST KILLED CAR LEAVES ROAD Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Today. Edward Patrick Coakley, a. farmer of Spring Terrace, Cheviot, was killed when his motor-car left the road on Saturday evening as he was returning home along the Leamington Road. He was a single man aged 32. MOTOR-CYCLES CRASH RIDER’S LEG FRACTURED Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. T. P. Fletcroft, a shop assistant, received a compound fracture of his right leg in a collision between tw<* motor-cycles at Kilbirnie 3'esterday. FINGER-TIP’S CUT OFF ACCIDENT TO MOTOR-CYCLIST Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. J. Carr, an engineer, crashed on hi* motor-cycle at Faraparaumu yesterday, and had the tips of his right hand fingers and the first finger off hi* left hand cut aS~ i