PLUNGE INTO RIVER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 101, 31 March 1937, Page 11

PLUNGE INTO RIVER

WAIKATO CAR FATALITY. WOMAN LOSES LIFE. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH. March 30. When a sedan car plunged over a 30-foot bank into the Awakino River to-day Mrs Ida Dingle, aged 47, of Tamvhare, Waikato, was drowned. Her husband, Mr Percy Dingle, the driver of the car, had a fortunate escape with shock and cuts from broken glass. Mr and Mrs Dingle were returning from a visit to their sons at school at Wanganui. At a narrow bend in the gorge they met another car and had insufficient room, their car crashing over the bank into the Awakino River, landing on its wheels in 12 feet of swiftly-flowing water. Mr Dingle kicked out the window of the car and crawled through. He attempted to drag out his wife, who was unconscious, but was washed off the running-board. He made his way back to the car, but Mrs Dingle had then disappeared. Mr Dingle called assistance and, although injured, he assisted the police in the search and the dragging of the river till nightfall, but the body was not recovered. The car met by Mr and Mrs Dingle did not stop. The driver might not have been aware of the accident. Besides two sons at Wanganui Collegiate School, Mr Dingle has a son aged 11 at home.