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Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1939, Page 8

While being driven from Invercargill back to Otaitai Bush, a lorry owned by Mr. A Templeton, flax miller, of Otaitai Bush, was completely engulfed in quicksand. The mishap (says the “Southland Times”) took place near the New River ferry. Although the lorry was drawn under in a very short time, the driver was able to make his escape without injury. Usually the sand on the beach is quite firm, but occasionally, often after wet weather or during floods, quicksands develop without warning. In this case. Mr. Templeton’s lorry earlier in the day had passed safely over the same spot. Efforts are to be made to recover the lorry, but it is feared that the vehicle may be a total loss. Some time ago, another vehicle belonging to the flax mill was trapped by quicksand, but later was recovered. An old resident

states that about 20 years ago a horse team and express were completely engulfed without leaving a trace of their whereabouts.