STRANGE ACCIDENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 47, 5 December 1946, Page 6

STRANGE ACCIDENT

MAN FALLS OUT OF TRUCK MISSED FOOTING STEPPING OUT OF CAB A most unusual accident occurred on the main highway about two miles south of Chertsey just before 8 o’clock last evening. As a result Harry Hopkins, aged 24, of the Federal House, Ashburton, was admitted to the Ashburton Pubic Hospital suffering from concussion. Hopkins Avas riding in a- truck oavuby the Mid-Canterbury Transport Company, by whom fie is employed. The vehicle, which Avas being driven by Frank AndreAv Soal, of, 17 Peter Street, Ashburton, Avas carrying 14 empty 44gallon drums. Hopkins mentioned to the driver that the drums Avere canting over to one side. The next thin/ that the driver kneAV was that the cab door Avas open and Hopkins ay as missing. Evidently Hopkins stepped out of the cab in order to climb onto the deck of the truck to adjust the drums, missed his footing and fell onto the roadside. The driver found his companion lying unconscious on the road. The St. John Ambulance and a doctor were summoned to the scene and Hopkins was removed to hospital, where it is understood he is making satisfactory progress.