TWO KILLED

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 10

TWO KILLED

SOUTH OTAGO TRAGEDY CAR SOMERSAULTS €H MAIN ROAD DRIVER ARRESTED ON INTOXICATION CHARGE A fatal motor accident occurred on the Main South road near Lovell’s Flat shortly after 7.30 on Saturday evening., A car driven by Clarence Albert Barnett, of Benhar, who had as passengers William Hunter, Owen Wyber, and Jack Muir (all employed at the South Otago freezing works), left the Wingatui racecourse shortly after 5.30. , On approaching what is known as Bryce’s Hill a rear wheel burst and the car skidded in the loose gravel, causing the driver to lose control, with the result that the car capsized and the occupants were thrown out, with fatal results. dead. William Hunter, 68, married, Baidu tha. Jack Muir,. 27, single, Balclutha. INJURED. C. A. Barnett, Benhar, injuries to shoulder and head. Owen Wyber, Balclutha, facial injuries and shock.■ , REAR TYRE BURSTS. The car capsized when travelling down the long slope near Mr 0. Bryce’s farm at Lovell’s Flat. It turned completely over, the four occupants being thrown -out on to the road. Hunter and Muir landed on their heads, and death is believed to have been instantaneous. The other two men, who were, only slightly injured, were taken to Balclutha, where they were attended.'to by Dr D. G. Radcliffe and taken to the Baldutha Hospital. The car, belonging to Barnett and driven by him, left Balclutha for Wingatui at 9.30 a.in, on Saturday.' Barnett was accompanied by Muir and Wyber, but Hunter was not with them. At the races Barnett met Hunter, who arranged for a ride back to Balclutha in Barnett’s car. They left for home about 5.30 p.m., Barnett driving. Muir was seated alongside him, and Hunter and Wyber occupied the rear seat of the car. Seven miles from Balclutha one of the fear tyres of the car burst, and the driver lost control of the vehicle, which, turned right over, throwing the occupants heavily on to the road. The car was badly damaged. ARREST OF DRIVER.

On Saturday night Barnett was arrested by Constable Boyle on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a car, and was released on bail. An inquest for identification purposes was opened before the district coroner this morning and adjourned. Mr Hunter was born in Balclutba, and was the second son of the late Mr and Mrs Peter Hunter, Balclutha. He was educated at the Balclutha and Te Houka Schools, and worked on his father’s.farm until about 26 years ago, when he came to reside in Balclutha. Mr ; Muir belonged . to Southland, where his people reside. He has been iri'Balclutha for a number of years and was a popular member ,of the Olutha Football Club, playing in the senior team and also representing South Otago.