MOTOR-CAR IN RIVER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 230, 26 June 1935, Page 10

MOTOR-CAR IN RIVER

Two Company Officials

Lose Lives

CRASH THROUGH BRIDGE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, June 25. A tragic motor-car accident occurred last evening, involving the deaths of:— Thomas A Nicholson, manager of the Linton Coal Company, aud Allan Timpany, secretary of the Linton Coal Company. Mr. Nicholson was 52 years of age and Mr. Timpany 38. The two men had left Invercargill early on Monday morning to visit the company’s mine at Ohai, travelling in Mr. Timpany’s car. a new eight-cylin-der model. After spending the day at Ohai they left on their return. They dined at Otautau in the evening, and departed on the final stage of the journey to Invercargill at about 8 o’clock. The bridge where the fatality occurred is onlv a short distance down the road from the Fairfax Hotel, aud lhe approach Is a straight one. There was not a great deal of water in the old river-bed. but at one spot it reached a depth of 7ft., and it was here that the ear left the bridge and plunged into a pool apart from the main stream. It appeared that the car had skiddec. on the longitudinal planks on the bridge. Part of the wooden railing pierced the radiator, passed over the engine, and finished projecting into the driver’s seat.

The car toppled off the bridge aud fell into the pool on its side, the water closing over its trapped occupants. Mr. Nicholson, who was a native of Dunedin, spent many years in the service of Sargood, Son and Ewen. For 15 years he was country representative for' that firm. Several years ago he became manager of the Linton Coal Company, of which he was also a director. He was keenly interested in sport, being a member of the Waihopai Bowling Club aud the Queen’s Park Golf Club He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Miss Nancy Nicholson, now. on her wr/ to England, and a son. Mr. John Nicholson, a medical student at the University of Otago.

Mr. Timpany was a son of tlie late Mr. William Timpany. He was educated at the Southland Boys’ High School, and joined the staff of the Bank of New Zealand on completing his education. Later he left the service of the bank to join his father in the coal business. He was one of the original members of the Linton Coal Company. He was stationed for a time at Timaru, returning to Invercargill as secretary. He was a keen bowler, and as secretary of the Georgetown club assisted iu the adniinistrative side of the game. Mr. Timpany married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Jenkins, of Timaru, and his wife and two small children survive him. •