FATAL ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 144, 17 May 1930, Page 8

FATAL ACCIDENT.

YOUNG MAN KILLED. Per Press Association. WAIPUKURAU, May 16. A fatal accident occurred late this afternoon on the Makaretu road, three miles south of Onga Onga, whereby Frederick William Spotswood, aged 20, lost his life. It appears that three men employed as a line party by the Post and Telegraph Department at Waipukurau were proceeding along the road and when negotiating a bridge over the Tuki Tula Itiver, the steering gear apparently failed, precipitating the motor lorry through the structure into the river, a distance of 12 feet, and pinning Mr Spotswood by the body. The cause of death was apparently drowning. The body was The other occupants of the lorry, Claude Page, aged 44, a married man, and Robert Stabler, aged 20, a single man, who are residents of Waipukurau. escaped with lacerations, head bruises and shock. Mr Stabler received severe lacerations to his right leg necessitating stitches. They were admitted to the Waipukurau Hospital. Both men struggled from the upturned vehicle out of the river and made heroic efforts to lift the vehicle but were unsuccessful. Mr Page, although suffering severely, walked some chains to a settler’s residence to advise the police, doctor and postal officials. Within eighteen months Mrs Spotswood has lost her husband and two sons.