TREBLE ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 7

TREBLE ACCIDENT.

TROUBLE IN AYR STREET.

THREE MOTOR VEHICLES.

NARROW ESCAPE BY LADY.

HOW RESCUE WAS EFFECTED.

A curious treble accident taok place on the steep grade of Ayr Street, Parnell, yesterday afternoon. In the first place a sedan car driven by Mrs. 0. E. Nicholson, of Lucerne Road, Remuera, travelling slowly down 'the hill skidded and the application of the brakes had the effect of slewing the car round, forcing the rear through the protecting rails at the narrow roadside. A remarkable feature of the accident was that the car came to a standstill, balancing like a see-saw, the crankshaft having caught an iron manhole cover, which is situated under the fence just over the edg* of the road. Had this not occurred, the car would have turned over and fallen about 30 feet to the bottom of a gully. A peculiarity of the car's position was that the front wheels and the rear wheels were left spinning in the air, suggesting that Mrs. Nicholson must have had a lucky escape. The situation of the car caused considerable interest and comment from passers by. Two Trucks Arrive. The second chapter was the arrival of a truck from a motor firm sent out to rescue the sedan. This truck, with brakes full on, was unable to stop on the steep grade where the accident occurred, and proceeded to the bottom of the hill with brakes locked, and had then to be backed up to carry out the salvage. Ropes were attached to haul the car from its precarious position, and a stanchion wa3 placed behind the sedan as a prop. Then the third phase occurred.

By this time a number of vehicles were parked in the vicinity and general interest prevailed in the rescue operations. At this juncture a light truck came on the scene from the crest of the hill and the driver lost control about 20 feet above the scene of operations. He explained that he could not stop, so, feeling sure that there was trouble ahead, he took the line of least resistance and jumped clear, leaving the vehicle to work out its own salvation, which consisted in striking the rescuing truck a glancing blow, which -wrecked the steering rods of the bolting vehicle, slewed it around and locSed both trucks together, completely blocking the road. Little Damage. The collision was perhaps fortunate, as there might have been greater damage if the third runaway had been allowed to continue its career unchecked. The total damage to both trucks was n&t considerable, while the sedan seemed to escape damage entirely.

Motorists witnessing the various phases of the afternoon's thrills spoke strongly of the dangers of Ayr Street and its smooth bituminous surface and hairpin bends. There is little grip for the tyres and the surface becomes, especially when rain falls, exceedingly slippery. It is a road that should not be used unless brakes are in first-class condition. "A Bigger Fright." Referring to the accident this morning Mrs. Nicholson said that a car was following her down Ayr Street and the driver witnessed the accident, "I think he got a bigger fright than I did," .she said, "as it looked inevitable that my car would topple to the bottom of the gully. However, something caught the undercarriage,, and the car was just balancing, and I was frightened to move for fear the car would clear itself and roll down the hillside. The motorist following me stopped his vehicle and came to my help. He was frightened to advise me to get out, but I said, 'I can't stay here, and I might get killed if the car continues down the hill.' With that he extended his hand and helped me out. Fortunately the car remained in position hanging over the bank. I feel very lucky to have got off without a scratch. It is just as well I suppose that I am not an hysterical person, or things might have been different. It all happened so very quickly."