SUSPENDED 20 FEET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 97, 3 February 1934, Page 3

SUSPENDED 20 FEET.

MOTORISTS' PREDICAMENT. CAIt CRASHER THROUGH BRIDGE (Special to the "Guardian.") FOXTON, February 1. To have his car skid in the centre of a bridge across the Manawatu River, twist round and crash through the railings, and come to a stop suspended 20 feet above the water, supported only by the differential jammed on a bridge stringer, was the experience of a motor driver proceeding south from Foxton. The man wag accompanied by a woman, but both escaped injury. The mishap occurred on the Whirokino bridge, six miles south of Foxton. The car was proceeding toward Wellington. It was raining at the time, and the smooth wood decking was very slippery. When just over the centre of the bridge the ear, a heavy sedan, skidded and turned at right angles, crashing through the heavy railings. Only the fact that the ' differential caught on a stringer saved the car from plunging into the river. The man and woman were unhurt, but experienced some difficulty in extricating themselves.

The Manawatu River Service launch was passing down the river at the time. The men on board moored the, launch to the bridge pile and threw a rope up with which the car was made secure until a lorry arrived on the scene and pulled it back to safety.