CAR TRAPPED ON BEACH

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22610, 16 January 1939, Page 10

CAR TRAPPED ON BEACH

TOURISTS MISJUDGE TIDE tFBraS ASSOCIATION TELEGKAiIJ AUCKLAND, January 15. To see their motor-car, with their personal belongings and camping gear trapped by waves, while they stopped shivering above the high water mark, was the experience of Mr and Mrs H. A. Hannay, of Foxton, on the Ninety Mile Beach. Mr Hannay was travelling up the beach with the intention of camping at the extreme northern end, and when rounding the bluff he tried to go along the sand, instead of taking the road which has been blasted over the rocks.

The tide was making at the time, but the water appeared well away from the loot of the rocks. However, the car was caught in the water-hole and an incoming wave washed round .the vehicle. Seeing that it was not possible to save the car Mr and Mrs Hannay tried to salvage their personal effects. They were successful in saving some, all in wet condition, but a large part was lost; and the Hannays were wet through before the advancing tide drove them away from the car. Word of the accident was brought to Kaitaia, and six men and salvage equipment went up the beach. After the tide had fallen an attempt was made to free the car, which by this time was embedded in sand, but it was not successful. The whole party had to spend, the night on the beach. The car was salvaged the next day and was taken to Kaitaia a total wreck. This is the fifth car to have been caught on the beach during the last fortnight.