CRASH INTO STREAM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 10

CRASH INTO STREAM

DEPARTMENTAL LORRY

YOUNG MAN DROWNED

* (By Telegraph.—Prest Association.)

WAIPUKURAU, 16th May.

Through the apparent failure of the steering-gear, a motor-lorry, with three men on board, plunged through the Tukituki River bridge into the water below. One of the occupants was pinned by the vehicle and drowijcd. The accident occurred late this afternoon on the Makaretu road, three miles south of Onga Onga. The man who lost his life was Frederick William Spots-j wood, aged 20.' • It appears that the three men, who were employed as a line party by the Post and Telegraph Department at Waipukurau, were proceeding along the road. When, crossing the bridge over the Tukituki River the steering-gear apparently failed, precipitating the motor-lorry through the structure into the river, a distance of twelve feet. Spotswood was pinned down and drowned. The body was subsequently recovered.' ' The other occupants of , the lorry were Claud Page, aged 44,. married, and Robert Stabler, aged 20, single, both residents of Waipukurau. Mr. Page received cuts on the head, bruises, and shock, and Mr. Stabler severe lacerations to the right leg, necessitating stitches. Both men were admitted to Waipukurau Hospital. After struggling from the upturned vehicle in' the river, Mr. Page'and Mr. Stabler made heroic but unsuccessful efforts to lift the vehicle and release Spotswood. . Mr. Page, although suffering severely, walked some chains to a setter's residence and advised the police/ a doctor, and the Postal officials. The mother of Spotswood lost one son in a motor accident, her husband died, and now the second son has been killed, all within eighteen months.,