CAR STRIKES POSTS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25767, 31 March 1949, Page 6

CAR STRIKES POSTS

VERANDA COLLAPSES ON TOP From Our Own Reporter HOKITIKA, March 30. The calm of Revell street, Hokitika, was rudely shattered about 2.45 p.m. yesterday afternoon by the snapping of veranda posts and the noise of rending and twisting iron as a section of veranda collapsed on a motorcar which had mounted the footpath, out of control. Driven by Mr A. Chesney, the car had turned south from Weld street into Revell street. It is understood that Mr Chesney momentarily lost control when trying to close a rear door of the car. The car crossed the road on to the footpath. The first cbstacle, a power and telephone pole, in poor condition at the base, snapped off five feet above street level, allowing the vehicle to proceed and demolish two light veranda posts before coming to rest against an iron veranda post. With a shattering noise a section of veranda collapsed on top of the car. Fortunately no one was on the footpath when the accident happened, but the front wheel of a bicycle leaning against one of the posts was badly twisted. The only apparent damage to the motor-car was a bent mudguard. It was driven away under its own power immediately the veranda iron and posts were removed. The driver was uninjured but suffered some shock.