WOMAN KILLED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1942, Page 4

WOMAN KILLED

BY RUNAWAY PETROL WAGON ON STEEP WELLINGTON ROAD. DRIVER NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A woman, not yet identified, was killed outright when a large petrol tank wagon, containing more than 1,000 gallons of benzine, ran away on the Brooklyn Road today. The vehicle hit a pot and turned over on top of the woman as she standing on the footpath.

The driver lost control, through a mechanical failure, half-way down the long, steep hill. As he approached the intersection of Brooklyn Road, Willis Street and Nairn Street, as an estimated speed of 55 miles an hour, he attempted a sharp right-hand turn up Nairn Street, with the intention of hitting a post. He succeeded, but unluckily the woman, standing on the footpath near the post, was caught by the overturning lorry. The driver, Mr W. G. Gilbert, of 8 Lancaster Street, Karori, escaped with a lacerated face and shock.

Much petrol was spilled on the road. Three fire engines were summoned, but no fire broke out and one of the engines used a towrope to lift the petrol wagon upright, to enable the extrication of the body of the victim and to prevent the further loss of petrol.