FATAL ACCIDENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 31 July 1939, Page 10

FATAL ACCIDENTS

CAR STRIKES TREE. IX FITZHEKBEKT AVENUE. Colliding with a tree when ho was driving his car down Fitzherbert Avenue, Ceeil JI. Terry, aped 41, a taxi owner-driver, was killed instantly at G.SG a.m. to-day. Tho impact was a heavy one, and the sound of the crash was heard 200 yards away. Mr Terry, who was born at Linton, and was a married man with three daughters, had come on duty at G a.m. Ho was proceeding down Kitzherbert Avenue between Ferguson Street and College Street towards the Esplanade to answer a call when tho accident happened. He was observed by iMr K. 11. ('rozier, of Jntzherbert Avenue, who was walking towards the Square. Tho ear driven by Mr Terry is stated to have veered suddenly over to the loft and gone straight into a tree, practically in a line with where Mr Crozior was on the footpath. For some time the late Mr Terry had been in indifferent health, and had been treated for heart trouble. The circumstances of the accident suggest that be had a fainting fit or seizure of some kind, as the ear travelled for a distance of some G 7 feet off the bitumen, on a slant, and there was no sign of the brakes having been applied. Apparently thrown violently against the windscreen, which was shattered immediately in front of the driver's seat. Mr Terry suffered head injuries, possibly a broken neck, and severe facial cuts. ]le was dead when Mr Crozier readied him. Tho car hit the tree head-on, but slightly to the left side of the car, which was badly wrecked as far back as the first door, with the engine twisted and stove in. After hitting the tree the car bounced back and swung right round in the opposite direction, six feet away.