MOTORIST FOUND DEAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1921, Page 5

MOTORIST FOUND DEAD.

EXPLOSION OF TANK SURMISED. < ALONE IN THE CAR. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. To-dav A. Robertson, a station holder, of Happy Valley, near Wellington, was walking along the road to the city when he came across a dead body lying beside a wrecked motor car. The face was almost unrecognisable, and the bead was badly mutilated. From the position of the body and the appearance of the car it is surmised the dead man was examining the tank to see how much petrol was in it, when it exploded, and almost blew the man’s head off. The police conveyed the body to Wellington. It was ascertained the deceased’s name is Frederick Heelse, 131 Konini Road, Hataitai, Wellington. Wellington, Later. The late Fred Hulse was a building contractor and was 48 years of age. He left, besides his widow (Mrs. Evelyn Hulse), a son 18 years of age and a daughter aged 7. Other relatives are Richard Hulse (brother), Wellington, and Harry Hulse (brother), Cambridge. His son is a cadet in the Public Works Department at Whangarei. Richard Hulse identified the body as that of his brother. It is presumed that the deceased had run out on a business . trip through Happy Valley in his car to look at some houses out in that direction. It is not definitely known what he was doing when the accident occurred, as no other person was in the car with him and nobody was present at the time. It would appear, however, that the supply of petrol ran out, and deceased moved the car to the side of the road to inspect it, and while thus engaged a fatal explosion took place. Burnt matches were found under the car, and it is supposed the explosion was due to lighting a match to see whether any petrol was left in the tank.