MOTOR-CAR DESTROYED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 51, 28 August 1914, Page 4

MOTOR-CAR DESTROYED

AN UNUSUAL ACCIDENT. An unußual accident occurred on the Hutt-road on Wednesday afternoon at about half-past four. A party, was coming to Wellington by motor-car, and when nearijjg Ngahauranga on.c of the occupants of the car, who was seated in front with the driver, struck a match . for the purpose of lighting a cigarette. He had bent over in order to Keep out of tfie wind, and the lighted vesta, came into contact with one of the oil taps. In turn the fumes from the petrol tank ignited, and in an, instant the front portion of the car was a mass of flames. The young man who struck the match was Louis Wixon, who resides at Pipitea-/ street, Thorndon. The car was travelling at from 20 to 25 miles per hour," and, as Wixon was in close proximity to the seat of the fire, he jumped off the car immediately, striking his head heavily on the road. He was admitted to the Hospital, and, although the extent of his injuries cannot yet be ascertained, he is progressing favourably. • The owner and driver of th& car was Mr. Charles Barrington, of Oriental Bay. Mr. Barrington, with presence of mind, Bteered the car out of the line of traffic, and together with the remaining occupants — his wife and child and another friend — alighted none the worse for the occurrence The car continued to burn fiercely, and was absolutely ruined.