HIGHWAY TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1937, Page 11

HIGHWAY TRAGEDY

RECOVERY OF BODY

(By Telecraph.—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N.,: This Day.

A shocking tragedy occurred at Ransiotu township, about twelve miles from 'the city, on the PalmerstonFoxton highway-at a late hour, last night when a five-seater- motor-car, travelling southwards, left the highway at a bend. The car struck a fence near the road bridge, somersaulted a considerable distance after ■ hitting an iron post with tremendous force and went completely r.over ,the railway where it leads on to the railway, bridge nearby. If then rolled down'the bank into the Orpua River and landed with its wheels .upwards. .'. ■.. :• , ■

Residents nearby,^ hearing a loud crash investigated , and '■ summoned the' police and an ambulance v but it was obvious that the occupants, must have been killed or drowned in the .time that elapsed. - The police are unableat present to ascertain the number of occupants in the-vehicle. ' -,

..This morning one body: was recovered when the car was dragged, to the side-of the'river. ■-■'-.. '"..V" '••'..;

Measurements by the police show that the distance from ' where the car left the road to where it; struck the fence was 52 feet: The, next visible point of contact,was on the other side of the raised roadway, another 56 feet, and from there to the point; in the river where the car finally came to rest. was . anptherj 60 feet. The indications are the vehicle left the highway at'a high speed. .-. ' .:■',.

A member of the.hospital ambulance crew at' an:; early hour -this- morning entered the water in a bathing costume .but; could throw..little-light :on. the, tragedy. ■.-••.'•.':/ .'•. :'•'•'. . ■ i V:'/:;'-':--V'•.'.■'...: