TWO DIE IN COLLISION

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30007, 17 December 1962, Page 12

TWO DIE IN COLLISION

Six Others Injured

Members of the motor accident branch at the Central Police Station want to interview anyone who saw the accident.

A man and his young son were killed and six persons were injured when two cars collided head-on on the Akaroa main highway, six miles on the Christchurch side’ of Little River, about 5.20 p.m. yesterday. Those killed were: Byron Henry Ledgard, aged 29. a builder, of 8 Haigh place, Woolston; and Ian Ledgard, aged three. Those injured are:— Denise Reed, of 339 Riccarton road, who suffered head injuries and shock and is on the seriously ill list at the Christchurch Hospital: Wendy Reed, of 339 Riccarton road, who suffered head and leg injuries and -hock. and whose condition is reported as fairly satisfactory; Norma Ledgard, of 8 Haigh place, who suffered head and arm injuries and whose condition is reported as fairly satisfactory; Christopher James Hensley. of 23 Hastings street, who suffered head injuries and shock and whose condition is reported as fair; and Richard John Gray, of 204 Linwood avenue, who suffered head and leg injuries and shock. Mr Gray was treated at the Christchurch Hospital and sent home. All the others were admitted. Laite last evening Mr aind Mrs Ledgard's baiby daughter, Bronwyn. aged 10 weeks. was admitted to the Christ - church Hospital. It is understood that she suffered concussion in the accident. but was taken home for a time. It is believed thait Mr Ledgard, Ian Ledgard, and the baby were thrown on to the road by the force of the impact. Misses Denise and Wendy Reed and Mr Gray were in the car driven by Mr Hensley. The accident occurred a few yards on the Christchurch side of the turn-off to Lake Forsyth. Near the bend where the accident occurred a third car was parked on the side of the road while a tyre was being changed. Two St. John ambulances took four of the injured persons to the Christchurch Hospital, and a fifth injured person was brought in by a private car. A fire engine from Christchurch went to the scene because of the danger of fire from petrol and oil spilled on the road. The car in which Mr Ledgard was travelling was wrecked The engine was pushed back into the body. which was doubled up. The right side of the vehicle was almost torn off, and the driver’s door was wrenched back as far as the back seat. The bonnet was torn off. The other car was very extensively damaged. The front was compressed to about half its normal length, the windscreen was shattered, and the driver’s door was doubled in two r