CAR-DRIVER’S ESCAPE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 354, 8 February 1937, Page 4

CAR-DRIVER’S ESCAPE

Plunge Over Bank Into Creek Bed. A fortunate escape from serious injury was experienced by Mr R. Simmons, a sheep farm manager, living near Hawera, when his car went over a 40-feet bank into a creek bed at Waipuku on Saturday afternoon. He was proceeding in a hired car owned by Grundy’s Motors Ltd., from New Plymouth to Wanganui. Ferns, shrubs and a mass of vegetation broke the fall of the car and ther<s was little water in the creek. When turning a bend in the road : Mr Simmons was confronted with two approaching cars, one overtaking the other, and in endeavouring to avoid them he lost control of the car, which dived over the bank. It camo to rest on its wheels and the driver emerged unhurt except for bruises end a shaking. The accident happened about 2.30 p.m., but salvage operations did not begin until nearly 7 p.m., by which time race traffic had arrived at the scene. At one stage more than 40 cars were parked, in the vicinity of the creek bed. Two officers of tl?e Automobile Association (South Taranaki) remained at the scene until 10 P.m. directing traffic.