WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 5

WEST COAST NOTES

MOTOR MISHAP. (SPECIAL TO "THE PBESS.") GREYMOUTH, February 16. The sensational motor accident in the Otira Gorge yesterday afternoon was caused by the locking of the car's ; steering gear. One of Clement's motor-, ! cars, carrying seven passengers from Arthur's Pass to Otira, went over the bank at the first bend past the "zigzag" onJJ, e Gorge, fortunately without serious consequences. Only the fact that a large quantity of scrub grows on the bank saved the car, which overturned and fell about 20 feet, fronf «ewg hurled into the gorge below. The seven occupants who miraculously escaped death were: Mr V. Gabites, of Jr, e , L,o f n and Mercantile Agency Co., tr 'x, , r nstchurch » and Mrs Gabites; tVi V 7" Darnell > of John Chambers, ~ ' khristchurck; Constable J. Carroii, of -Reefton, who was returning trom i eave . Constable J. W. Caldwell, utira, who was returning from escort auty; Constable J. Baird, Cobden, also returning from escort duty; and the driver, Mr George Wright, of HokiAH went well until the car reached the berfd. The steering gear then locked, and the car, out of control, shot headlong over the bank, overturned, and crashed into the scrub below - The driver, Constable Carroll, and Mr Gabites managed to get clear, but Mr Darnell and Constables Baird and Caldwell (who were in the back seat) over with the car. Darnell escaped without much trouble, but the two constables were underneath the car. Caldwell extricated himself, and was little the worse,,except for a bad, knock on the nose, which resulted today in, a "black eye." Baird, however, was pinned underneath the car, receiving bruises about the body and a general shaking. Mrs Gabites also fell with the car, but escaped and hung on to«a projecting branch. When the accident occurred the first coach from Arthur's Pass had gone by without anyone noticing trouble. The motorists, however, were able to join succeeding coaches and continue the journey, most of them travelling to Hokitika. It is reported that the car was recovered to-day, and found little the worse for-the experience. The passengers state that there was no negligence on the part of the driver, the being due to the locking of ttie steering gear. The Otira Gorge road has a reputation for safety, at least for horse traffic, and persons well acquainted with the rotd state that the part where the accident occurred is not particularly dangerous, although trouble with a car's steering gear is likely to have the result instanced by yesterday's accident. Although not so ggrious as it might have been, the accident draws attention to the question of whether the road needs, some attention to ensure safety for motorists as well as horse traffic. The opening of the tunnel will bring about an increase in motor traffic over the hill, and many people consider that the wonderful, almost "invariable, immunity from accidents that has been experienced in the days of coaches, may be lessened where there is an absence of skilled and properly regulated driving. In the interests of "post tunnel" tourist traffic, attention to the road is desirable. Weddijig. The marriage took place at ' the Church of England; Westport, on Thursday, >qf Sergeant-Major Chapelhow, Defence Department, formerly stationed at' Greymouth, and' Mrs Hodgson, of Westport. The Eev. Canon Coursey officiated. ■ . ■ ■"". Greymoutu-Westport Eoad; The Greymouth Borough Council resolved to communicate with the members f*r Westland (Mr J. O'Brien) and Buller (Mr H. E. Holland), asking them to urge the expenditure of the grant for the completion of the GreymouthWestport road. s ' Bowling. The West Coast bowling pairs cup was won by Blaxall and Cameron (Westport), who defeated Jones and Graham,. (Greymouth) by 14 points to 9. ' / 'j