TARANAKI SEARCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 17

TARANAKI SEARCH.

DEATH OF CYCLIST.

TRUCK AT POLICE STATION. CLOSE INVESTIGATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Police investigations following the discovery last night of a fatally injured motor cyclist and severely injured pillion rider in a pool of blood 011 tho south road near Oakura resulted in a motor truck belonging to a wellknown • farmer of the district being hi ought to tho New Plymouth police station to-day. The police took photographs of the truck and made a minute examination of marks. The police surgeon also sought evidence of contact with a human body. The truck shows a deep dent 011 tho front righthand mudguard, and the body on the same side is thrown out of alignment with the back of the cab. Whether this will prove to be the vehicle which was involved in the collision is not yet known.

The victim of the accident was Leonard Blanehard. aged 2li years, whose mother lives at Vogcltown, New Plymouth. Ife was employed by Mr. P. G. Knight. The pillion rider was Thomas Jury, aged 2-1 years, employed by Mr. Beatson Blundeil 011 his farm 011 Timaru Road. The two young men left the Patua dairy factory about 0 o'clock and about 0.45 a party of motorists who were travelling towards New Plymouth saw a damaged motor cycle. 011 the roadside and two young men lying 011 the side of the road. Mr. Blanehard was apparently dead when found and his companion was in a semi-conscious condition and unable to give a coherent account of the occurrence. He is alleged to have said something to the effect that "They came straight at us." The in jured man was taken immediately to the New Plymouth hospital and the. other man's 'body to the hospital mortuary. The police made searching inquiries until nearly daylight as the result of which they took possession of a motor truck. Mr. Jury, who suffered abrasions, extensive bruises and shock, is reported to be progressing fairly satisfactorily.