Car Swept From Ford Into River

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 1

Car Swept From Ford Into River

(From Our Own Reporter)

TIMARU, August 15.

A motor-car carrying six adults and three children was swept off a concrete ford in the partly-flooded Kakahu river near the Hilton School, South Canterbury, on Sunday evening. All escaped without injury.

Mr H. L. Lang, of Timaru, climbed through a window and dragged the floating vehicle towards the bank, where it became entangled in the branches of a tree. His companions were able to swim clear with the children, one of whom was a baby 10 months old.

The Geraldine county engineer (Mr K. H.- Beck) said this evening that heavy rain on Sunday morning caused the river to rise rapidly. The car was being driven across the ford when it went into deep water and floated downstream for five to 10 chains. “They were extremely lucky, because before the car was salvaged this afternoon it sank out of sight,” said Mr Beck. He ha * been notified of the

accident by Dr. A. W. Roberts, who treated the occupants of the vehicle for shock. The ford was inspected last evening, and warning signs would be placed in a prominent position, said Mr Beck Mrs R. Meredith, of Kakahu, who saw the persons concerned after the accident, said that the motor cut out when the car was crossing the ford. The water was running swiftly and it carried the vehicle over the edge of the causeway.

In the car were a man, his wife and their three children aged 10 months, eight years, and six years (all from Timaru); Mr and Mrs Lang; the driver, Mr N. Smith (also of Timaru): and an elderly Temuka man. Those not named declined to have their names published. / I