CAR’S PLUNGE OVER CLIFF

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 29 April 1924, Page 6

CAR’S PLUNGE OVER CLIFF

OCCUPANTS THROWN INTO RIVER PINNED UNDERNEATH MOTOR IN WATER Br Telegraph—Press Association. Taumarunui, April 28. A seven-seater motor-car containing three persons, which left Tauma--runui for Auckland, yestciday, ran over a cliff into the Ongarue River, near Taringamutu. The occupants were all thrown into the river, and the driver. Walter Smith, of To Kuiti, and Mr. Frank Bums, of Newmarket, were pinned under the car, and were in a precarious condition when rescued. Mr Buras sustained a serious wound on the side of his bodv, and; minor injures to his head. The driver had a. miraculous escape from being drowned, and is now recovering in hospital from the effects of his prolonged submoision. The sceno of the accident is at a dangerous bend in the main road, which has been recently metalled, and situated about three miles from Taumaruniii. The car was precipitated about 15 to 20 feet over the bank, and settled on its side in the water. Another party of motorists heard the cries of the injured and pulled the car over, thus releasing those pinned, underneath. Only the hood of the car is now visible. Heavy rain in Taumarunui over the week-end made the roads bad, and cars coming through from Te Kuiti are meeting with trouble. A car convoying passengers got through from the north to Taumarunui on Saturday night.