TRAPPED IN CAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 5

TRAPPED IN CAR

♦ YOUNG WOMEN DROWNED AT DEVONPORT TRAGIC SEQUEL TO WEDDING PARTY. VEHICLE PLUNGES OVER END OF WHARF. <By Telegranh—Press Association • AUCKLAND, April 11. A wedding party had a tragic sequel tonight when a motor-car plunged over the end of the vehicular ferry wharf at Devonport into the harbour. One of the bridesmaids and a wedding guest were trapped in the car and drowned. The driver, Mr Ross Faulkner, aged 30, of Matakana Island, Tauranga, escaped. The victims were: Miss Elizabeth Maude Swanston, aged 21, daughter of Mr R. N. K. Swanston, retired banker, living at Mon Desir Hotel, Takapuna. Miss Margaret Beale, aged about 25, daughter of Mr J. B. Beale, solicitor, Tauranga. ' After a reception in Takapuna, five people left in the car. Apart from the driver, the others were Miss„ Beale, Miss Swanston, Mr Gilbert Baron,' Katikati, and Mr Noel Crump, Devonport, the well-known Auckland swimmer. The party intended to return to Auckland by the vehicular ferry. Messrs Baron ana Crump left the car at the ticket office to make a telephone call. The vehicle-was travelling to the head of the wharf. The vehicular ferry from Auckland was disembarking cars and when the last of the line had reached the wharf, Mr Faulkner thought it was time for him to go on board. However, the ferry had made its last trip for the night and immediately after the last car had left, the ferry moved away from the landing to go to its berth. As a result the car containing Mr Faulkner and the two young women fell from the edge of the ramp into 16 feet of water. Mr Faulkner succeeded in opening a door and burst of imprisoned air forced him to the surface. Several times he dived in and attempted to extricate his companions, but his efforts were unavailing and he was later rescued exhausted. The late Miss Swanston was recently on a visit to Masterton. Her father in his younger-days was a noted tennis player being New Zealand champion in 1912 and doubles champion in 1905.