MOTORISTS KILLED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 113, 6 February 1935, Page 10

MOTORISTS KILLED

- Car Plunges Into Gully OCCUPANTS THROWN OUT By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, February 5. A double fatality occurred last evening when a ear containing two Christchurch residents on a camping tout went over a bank on the Whangamoa Saddle Road. The dead are:— Mr. Herbert Berry, aged 54, painter, Beretta Street, Christchurch. Mrs. Berry, wife of Mr. Berry, aged 40. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Berry and Mr. and Mrs. C. Arnold, of Martin Avenue, Christchurch, accompanied by Miss Arnold, left on a motor camping tour, intending to do a round trip via Blenheim, Nelson, and the West Coast. They stayed at tlie Hapuka River (near Kaikoura) on Sunday night, and the two ears, driven by the two men of the party, then proceeded to the reservoir reserve camping ground •at Nelson. Mr. Arnold, who had traversed the road several times previously. was leading and the other car was following closely.

On descending the Whangamoa Hill on the Nelson side near Brown’s Cutting at 7 o’clock last night, Mr. Arnold passed a motor-truck driven by Mr. C. Bennett, of Rai Valley, who was proceeding uphill. Mr. Arnold’s car passed the other vehicle on the wider portion of the road. Mr. Berry’s car, on approaching the truck, went to the side of the road and the outside wheels got over the bank, with the result that (the vehicle, an open tourer, hurtled down the side of the hill into a steep gully. Mrs. Berry was thrown out about 150 feet below the 'roud, and .Mr. Berry was found 30 to 40 feet lower down with the ear nearby.

Alt's. Arnold had looked back in time to see gravel falling from the side of the road, -so their car was immediately stopped. Passers-by gave all possible assistance, while Air. Arnold proceeded on to communicate with an ambulance.

Considerable difficulty was experienced in conveying the injured motorists to the road, owing to the steep nature of the hillside. Air. Berry died in the ambulance, and Mrs, Berry was admitted4o hospital at 9.45 p.ni. and died at 7 o’clock this morning, both from head injuries. The late Mr, Berry had lived in Christchurch all his life. His brother, Mr. L. J. Berry, of Wellington, is secretary of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand. DROWNED IN RIVER By Telegraph—Press Association Thames, February 5. Jack Heasman, aged 18, the youngest son of Air. A. J. Heasman, farmer, of Turua, was drowned in the Wailioii River yesterday afternoon In company with his elder brother, he was swimming across the river, when it is thought ho was attacked by cramp, in the stomach. His brother noticed him in difficulties and went to his assistance, but was unable to help him. The boy disappeared and the body has not yet been recovered. Dragging the river will be resumed at low tide. BEACH ACCIDENT Dominion Special Service, Levin, February 4. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned by the district coroner, Mr. G. H. Harper, at an inquest to-day on Victoy. Colin Dawson, who lost his tile at Wal'tarere Beach on Thursday last Constable Burrell suggested that a life-line should be installed near the beach, and also a signboard warning bathers of the danger that existed at low tide. RESCUER’S BRAVERY Dominion Special Service Palmerston North, Febuary 5. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned by the coroner, Air. 11. Fraser, at an inquest at Foxton this week on Owen McEneany, who was drowned in the Manawatu River at Koputaroa on January 26. Air. Fraser paid a tribute to the courage of Patrick Mullany, who dived into the Manawatu River and endeavoured to rescue AlcEneany though he was aware that the river was dangerous even for swimmers, Mr. Fraser commented that Alullany had undoubtedly been very brave in his action. . SHOOTING FATALITY Bv Telegraph—Press Association .Hokitika, February 5. At an inquest yesterday the coroner returned a verdict that William James Webb, aged 23. single, was accident ally killed in the bush at Lake Hauler! on Saturday evening by John Frederick Andrews, who tired a rifle at what he thought was a deer, but struck Webb killing him instantly. The men had gone out in different directions, and it is not known how the deceased eame to the locality where the fatality occurred. FALL INTO HOT WATER By Telegraph—-Pres.- Association Auckland, February 5. The two-year-old boy who suffered severe scalds to the back on Sunday afternoon, William Rule, died to-day The child was scalded when he fell into a bucket of hot water.