DEATH-ROLL 175

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 239, 6 July 1931, Page 9

DEATH-ROLL 175

l America Celebrates FOURTH OF JULY Motor Smashes & Drownings 14 BATHERS CAUGHT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Rec. July 5, 10.50 p.m.) ' ■ New York, July 4. One hundred and seventy-five people were killed In Independence Day accidents to-day. Motor-car accidents and drowning accounted for the great majority. Fireworks killed only two, but many were injured. Fourteen bathers were drowned in a surging tide rip which swept the Southern California coast. , Intense heat drove great crowds from the cities to the seashore, where gay throngs participated in. colourful Independence Day celebrations. New York City alone reported two deaths and 100 injured from fireworks, mostly among children. The majority of the deaths, however, were due to drownings and motor accidents, while fires, explosions, shootings and other accidents increased the toll. One of the chief centres of holiday interest in New York was the aeroplane Winnlwmae, which thousands visited, while the airmen, Post and Gatty, were on a golfing tour. Much excitement occurred at one point when a dropped cigarette fired the decora tions about the-aeroplane, but the flames were extinguished before the plane was damaged.