ACCIDENTS & DEATHS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 68, 31 December 1928, Page 7

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS

MOTOR-TRUCK BRAKES FAIL

RUNAWAY ON HILL. iPer Press Association.) GISBORNE, December 30. A serious motor accident occurred on Saturday morning on Tarewa Hill, on the main Gisborne-Wairoa Road, as the result of which two Maoris, Tuta Tahawhera, aged 50 years, married, and Wild Maniapopo, 52 years, were killed, and three were injured—Ngairo Anihata, head injuries, To llangi Temete, leg and internal injuries, and Te Whata Witeria, head injuries. The party comprised seven Maori men. All came from Whakatane in a one-ton lorry, and wore on the way to a meeting of the Ringatu Church at Nuhaka, near Wairoa. The party spent last night at Tekaraka, and set out early this morning on the second portion of the journey. On going down Tarewa Hill, 37 miles south of bisborne, the brakes gave way. Hie driver, Aniata Ratene, told the passengers to jump, but only one did so, Wild Maniapopo, who landed on his head on the bitumen and was killed. The lorry continued its course, and on reaching a hairpin bend, overturned twice, landing again on the wheels near the bank, but facing the opposite way. Tuta JPahawhera was killed by the weight of the lorry. Police and a doctor were sent from Gisborne, and the injured removed to Cook Hospital, where the injuries were reported as not serious.

YOUTH FALLS 40 FEET. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec, 29. Herman Edward Dunlop, aged 18, resident of the Papanui Hotel, was taken to hospital at 10.15 o clock this morning, following a 40 feet fall through a goods-hoist at the premises of Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co., Ltd. He has concussion, but is reported to be conscious and not in a serious conditionsDROWNING CHILD RESCUED. AUCKLAND, Dec. 29. Joan, the five-year-old daughter of Alf. Naughton, playing with other children at the Devonport waterfront, was l>eing carried out to sea by a swift current when Victor McGregor dived off the sea wall fully clothed and swimming 30 yards, rescued the girl. Seizing her clothing as she was sinking, lie brought her to the surface, and swam with her to the sea wall. The child was unconscious, but restorative measures were after a time successful.