Man Freed From Burning Car

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 5

Man Freed From Burning Car

i.Vew Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, Dec. 26.

Three Napier policemen freed a trapped motorist from his car early on Friday morning, seconds before it became enveloped in flames. The man is Stewart Little, a clerk, aged 23, of 35 Barnard avenue. Napier. He was admitted to the Napier Public Hospital suffering lacerations and concussion. His condition was reported

later this morning to be satisfactory. Shortly after midnight the Rev. H. E. Rowe, Vicar of St Augustine's Church, in Riverbend road, was awakened by a crash. He rushed out and saw an overturned car lying underneath a tree near the church property.

Mr Rowe immediately dialled 111 to report the accident.

A police patrol car. with Sergeant D. Allan and Constables W. Gibbs and J. Dagg, sped to the scene. They found the driver, trapped in the car, calling for help. The vehicle burst into flames as they attempted to open the jammed doors, and the calls for help ceased. The policemen toppled the car on to its side and succeeded in opening the lefthand rear door.

Flames were roaring through the opening and they were unable to see the driver.

They then smashed the windows and found Mr Little behind the back seat.

He was dragged through the broken windows to safety.

The fire, caused by a shortcircuit, was extinguished by the Napier fire brigade.