FATAL ACCIDENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 69, 2 January 1941, Page 8

FATAL ACCIDENTS

TWO HARVESTERS KILLED.

WIRE FOULS POWER LINE. (Per Press Association). CARTERTON, January 1. Two men were killed and two others were injured during harvesting on the property of Mr H. H. R. Renall, at Kokotau, six miles from Carterton, about 4 o’clock this afternoon. Those killed were Mr Edwin James, aged about 42, married. fftfr Bertie W. Renal], aged about 35. A married man, Mr Proctor (details at present unavailable), was very seriously burnt and is dangerously ill in hospital. Mr John Raynor suffered slight burns not requiring his admission to hospital. The men were building a stack when a wire on the elevator broke. They were on the elevator mending the wire when it slipped and short-circuited over an 11,000-volt line.

TWO DEATHS IN COLLISION.

FIVE OTHER PERSONS INJURED

WELLINGTON, January 1. Two people were killed and five others were injured in a collision between a taxi and a small car on the Hutt road between the railway crossing and the Petone station, about 5 a.m. yesterday. They were:—

Killed. Mr George Rimmer, a salesman, of 9 Boston Terrace, Wellington. Mr Herbert John Davies, married, aged 57, chief steward of an overseas vessel at present at Wellington. Pie lived at Duchy Drive, Paignton, South Devon. Injured. Miss K. Lucina, 41A, The Terrace, Wellington, fractured left thigh and severe shock. Dr. A. K. Currie, a ship’s doctor on the same overseas vessel, head and chest injuries. Miss J. Williams, 30 Gorge Road, Ngaio, injuries to back, face, shoulder and chest. Severe shock. Mr M. Shield, a taxi driver, incised wound on the face, slight concussion, and shock. Mr R. 33. Gibbs, a milkman, of Taita, severe head injuries, a broken nose and shock.

Messrs Rimmer and Davies, whose necks were broken by the force of the impact, were killed instantly. The Petone police stated that the accident occurred almost on the crown of the road, and there was no evidence that it had been caused by liquor. Miss Lucina, Dr. Currie, and Mr Davies were in Miss Lucina’s car, returning to Wellington along the Western Hutt road about 4 a.m., when the car failed to take a bend, and struck the bank. These people were later picked up by Mr Rimmer, who was taking them into Wellington when the second accident occurred.

CHILD ACCIDENTALLY SHOT. INVERCARGILL, January 1. The accidental discharge of a rifle this morning caused the death of Julian Qarr, aged 31 years, a son of Mr Cecil Carr, an electrician. Tlie child’s father was handling the rifle when it accidentally exploded. The bullet passed through the head of the child, who was playing nearby. It is believed the accident was caused by a defect in the weapon,. The child was taken to hospital, but died an jfiour later.