Passenger Hurt In Lorry Mishap Near Stratford

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1942, Page 2

Passenger Hurt In Lorry Mishap Near Stratford

Vehicle hits telegraph pole in early morning. When a lorry: skidded and capsized on the main road between Stratford and Eltham, about half a mile from Stratford, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the two occupants were fortunate in avoiding serious injury. The lorry, owned by Mr. F. W. Yeates, New Plymouth, was driven by Mr. R. Philpott. Mr. Yeates is the contractor for the delivery of the Taranaki Daily News to the main centres of Taranaki and the vehicle was carrying a heavy load of newspapers when the accident occurred. Bumped Into Potliole. The driver said he had switched on his cab light to ascertain the time, which was 5.12 a.m., when he felt one of the rear wheels bump into* a pothole. This sent the lorry on to the soft part of the road on the left-hand side and it immediately went out of control. It hit a telegraph pole, slewed right round and turned on its side. The cab was badly damaged and the windscreen smashed. Mr. Philpott, who escaped suffering from shock, said he was using the producer gas plant at the time and could not havs been travelling fast. A passenger in - the vehicle, Mrs. P. Maindonald, Opunake, received a fracture of the right forearm and a gash on the left leg. Her condition last night was reported to be satisfactory. Because of the accident districts south of Stratford and between Hawera, Opunake and New Plymouth received their Daily News late on Saturday, the driver rrv^.ing prompt arrangements to cclitinue with the run. The telegraph pole was bent over at an angle, the crossarms snapping off and being held by the wires. There was slight interruption to local telephone circuits but these were restored shortly after 8 a'.m.