DEATH OF DRIVER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29602, 26 August 1961, Page 10

DEATH OF DRIVER

Truck Goes Over Bank

A driver died in the Christchurch Hospital at 3.10 p.m. yesterday from injuries suffered when his heavy truck he was driving went over a bank on the Te Oka Bay road. Banks Peninsula, after the edge of the road had subsided under the vehicle’s wheels early yesterday morning. He was:— Raympnd Lambert Richens, aged 29. married, of Ladbrooks No. 2 R.D.. Christchurch. Mr Richens was employed by the transport firm of W. A- Habgood, Ltd.

Mr Richens was driving a seven-ton truck, the middle truck in a convoy of three carrying superphosphate to an airstrip bn a property at Te Oka, about nine miles from Little River. While he was making a sharp left turn on the shingle road the truck’s wheels dug into the soft surface. The truck rolled about 40 yards down the bank, and Mr Richens, who apparently was thrown out of the vehicle or jumped out, fell on to rocks below the edge of the road. At the time of the accident, about 6.40 a.m., there was light drizzle. It was the first time Mr Richens had travelled on this part of the road A party organised by Constable W. A. Cromie. of Little River, found Mr Richens about 8.50 a.m- He was taken to hospital by a St. John Ambulance, and died several hours after admission.