MOTORIST’S ESCAPE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 93, 3 April 1934, Page 6

MOTORIST’S ESCAPE

Car Falls Over Bridge DRIVER ONLY BRUISED (Special to “Tribune”) AUCKLAND, April t. A remarkable escape from injury wax experienced by Mr L. Cowley, a farmer, aged 36, of Albany, when the touring car he was driving crashed through the rails of the Albany bridge shortly t fter 3.30 yesterday afternoon and fell about 30ft. into the creek below. Mr. Cowley was alone in the car. The vehicle landed in about 3ft. of water on the radiator aqd front wheels and then fell on the side'at which the driver sits. However, Mr. Cowley was not injured apart from bruises, and was able to scramble out of the car. He was taken home and was later attended by Dr. K. H. Holdgate, of Birkenhead. Last evening it was reported Mr. Cowley was still Buffering from shock. The motorist was on his way to visit his brother, Mr. T. Cowley, also of Albany. After proeecnii ■ m*n an incline the wheels skidded while negotiating the approach to the bridge where the road is rough and necessitates a slight turn to the left. Mr. Cowley attempted to recover the car from the skid, but when the vehicle was about half-way across the bridge it swung broadside on and crashed through the wooden rails on the righthand side, falling into the middle of the creek. Fortunately the tide was low and the car was only half immersed in the water. At high tide there is about 7ft. of water at the spot where the car landed.

The vehicle was practically wreeked. The front axle and wheels and the radiator suffered extensively, the hood was smashed, and the bodywork also was damaged. A considerable length of the bridge railing was torn away. Mr. J. Mitchell, of Auckland, who was walking across the bridge, heard the car approaching from behind him and stepped to the left. He half turned round and w-as astonished to see the car hurtle through the rails and into the creek. The accident was also witnessed by Mr. J. G. Hooton, of Albany, and he and Mr. R. Smith, another local resident, rushed to the scene and assisted Mr. Cowley. Attention was also attracted by the fact that a short circuit in the electrical equipment caused the horn to sound continuously. The wreeked car remained in the creek bed last evening, although it was removed to a higher level, almost out of reach of the water.