CAR’S PLUNGE

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1935, Page 5

CAR’S PLUNGE

OFF BRIDGE Men Escape Death (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND. Alay 27. With an impact heard half a. mile away, a. touring car, that had got out of control, on the overhead railway bridge near the intersection of Dominion Road and Eden Terraco, crashed through the right-hand railing of the bridge, and plunged thirty feet to the foot of rhe railway embankment below. The vehicle somersaulted in midair, and came to rest, smashed to matchwood. on its right side. 'The occupants were John Hardwick, aged 67, married, of Alount Eden, and X'incent Astel!, aged 29. married, of Alount Eden. Both men suffered head ' injuries, but their condition is not considered serious. In the opinion of by-tandors they had a. narrow escape from death. The car. which was travelling along Dominion Rond, was driven by Astell and wa s involved in a collision with a sedan ear. proceeding in the opposite direction. Tin* vehicles became interlocked a few yards below the crown of the bridge, and the touring car suddenly slewed round, skidded across the wooden decking to the right, mounted the footpath, and tb.cn carried away eight foot of the railings. As it fell. ;ho car turned over and crashed against the left hand concrete pylon supporting the bridge, the hood bring torn to ribbons, and the framework crumpled. The vehicle finished its career, completely wrecked, between the pylon and a. telegraph post, in tangled scrub and undergrowth several foot from the railway line. The radiator was battered, and was almost torn from the body. It faced in the direction of the bridge. The noise of the crash attracted the attention of many people, and several’ men clambered down the bridge to assist the injured occupants. The other ear involved was damaged at the back, and had to bp towed away.