ACCIDENTS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22676, 3 April 1939, Page 10

ACCIDENTS

FATAL COLLISION

SUMNER RESIDENT KILLED

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

’ BLENHEIM, April 2, Fatal injuries were received ffiy Eric Pryce Newburgh, aged 28, of Sumner, in a motor collision on the Renwick road, Blenheim, yesterday. Newburgh was a passenger in a motor-car which collided with a loaded three-ton motor lorry. The scene of ,the accident was the Fairhall diversion, where there is a small low-level bridge between two high embankments. Newburgh was employed by the Southern Construction Company, which is engaged in levelling the new defence aerodrome at Woodbourne. The car was driven by another employee, Charles Gordon Gladstone Prior. The car was proceeding from town to the aerodrome, and topped the embankment to find a lorry, driven by C. Fraer, approaching on the bridge. After crashing into the front of the lorry, the car hurdled the bonnet and crashed through. the bridge side into the creek bed 10 feet below, with the left side completely shorn open. Newburgh was admitted to hospital in a critical condition, arid died to-day. Prior escaped with abrasions.

MAN FALLS FROM VIADUCT

TRAGEDY IN WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, April 2.

For the second time within 12 months the Kelburn viaduct, Wellington, .has been the scene of a fatal accident. This morning a man fell to his death from the northern parapet, in spite of efforts made by his wife to save him.

The victim was Alexander James Whitton, an accountant, aged 24, of Khandallah. He and his wife were walking across the viaduct after leaving their motor-car near a service station at the Northland end, when he clambered on to the parapet. Mrs Whitton seized him and cried for help. The woman’s screams attracted the attention of others on the viaduct, and of nearby residents. A cyclist left his machine and ran to assist her, but when he was within a few feet of Mrs Whitton she lost her grip of her husband’s ceat.

In the sight of many onlookers, including children, one of whom collapsed, Whitton fell to the edge of the roadway below, receiving injuries from which he died in a few minutes. Whitton is believed to have been in illhealth for some time.

GIRL KNOCKED DOWN

Knocked down by a car in Victoria square on Saturday evening, Beverley Shaw, aged 16, of Sulby road, Cashmere, was admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital with concussion. Her condition was reported last night to be. satisfactory.

CYCLIST SUFFERS CONCUSSION

Gordon Hicken, of 258 Cashmere road, was admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital on Saturday evening suffering from concussion received in a mishap at the cycling meeting at English Park. His condition was reported last evening as satisfactory.