FATAL ACCIDENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21853, 25 October 1945, Page 6

FATAL ACCIDENT

TOLAGA BAY TRAGEDY ONE KILLED; ONE INJURED TWO CARS COLLIDE A collision between two motor cars in the Tolaga Bay township late yesterday afternoon resulted in the death of one man and injuries to a second. The victims were: — Killed Mr. Cyril William (Pat) Leahy, aged 45, •married, with two children, development officer attached to the Gisborne office of the Native Department. Injured Ml Alexander Forbes Taylor, aged 30, surveyor, married, with two children, severe injuries .to the face in the vicinity of the eyes. The accident occurred at the corner in the centre of Tolaga Bay township at about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The car, driven by Mr. Taylor, with Mr. Leahy as passenger, was proceeding along the main street from Gisborne and the second car came from .the right from in front of the Tolaga Bay Inn. Vision was restricted by a van being parked on the corner, and the cars, which were both proceeding at slow speeds, collided in the centre of The intersection. The circumstances were unusual in that ordinarily similar accidents have occurred with just minor damage to .the vehicles concerned and usually the occupants escape without injury. However, it is believed that both vehicles swung away from each other when they became aware of the other’s presence, and the angle at which they struck forced Mr. Taylor’s car over. Mr. Leahy was flung out of the car on to the road, landing, apparently, on hia head. He died from his injuries a few minutes later. Mr. Taylor suffered a painful wound to his right eye and was conveyed to the Cook Hospital, Gisborne, where he passed a comfortable night. He was discharged to-day and requires specialist treatment to preserve the sight of his eye. The second car was driven by Mr. Augustus Henry Roberts, woolclasser, Tolaga Bay, and he had as passengers his wife and two childen, all of whom escaped without serious injury and suffering only from shock. The car driven by Mr. Taylor left Gisborne at 4 o’clock for Tikitiki, to which township both men were proceeding on business for the Native Department. Mr. Leahy was a highly-respected and capable officer of the Gisborne branch of the Native Department and had been employed there for some years. He was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. James Leahy, Onehunga, and had just completed 28 years’ service with the department. He came to Gisborne as consolidation officer and was recently appointed development officer. During his term as consolidation officer 'he became widely known and respected for his achievements in respect of native land problems, and put through the Waiapu consolidation scheme, one of the biggest native land schemes in the country. Mr. Leahy was a prominent member of the Gisborne section of the Public Service Association and was the representative appointed to the Public Service Investment Society.

He leaves his wife, formerly Miss Ena Pearl O’Neill, Gisborne, and two children, John, aged 10, and Janice Patricia, aged G. Mr. Leahy is also survived by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.