PREMIER’S ACCIDENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 153, 31 May 1941, Page 7

PREMIER’S ACCIDENT

; UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCE. I (N.Z.E.F. Official News service.) J CAIRO, May 29. I “That's that,” said tlie New Zealand } Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) jas lie picked himself out of his ear I which somersaulted four times on j the Alexandria-Cairo road and then ! landed squarely on its wheels. Three | occupants had been Hung on the hard, sands and two others were inside the car with Mr Fraser.

On May 26 the Prime Minister and his party flew from Cairo to Alexandria, whets they lunched. In the afternoon they visited New Zealand war wounded from Crete in the Victoria Hospital. It was wonderful how cheerful the boys were. Sir Apirana Ngata’s son is improving rapidly. Mr Fraser gave a word of cheer and comfort tr> the Maori lad, who received grievous hand wounds during fierce fighting in Crete. At 7 p.m. the party left in two cars for Cairo. Soon after leaving it became apparent that the second car was giving trouble The first car

travelled ahead and. when the .journey was half completed, waited for the second car. It was obvious that the second car would continue to give trouble, so t-hc occupants, Air Jeffery and Captain Downs, joined the Prime Minister, Brigadier Falla, and Mr Berend.sen in the first car.

The party continued the journey till the accident occurred. The time, verified by a stopped watch, was 9.50 p.m. I'lie right rear tyre blew out and somersaulted the ear on to the sand. The occupants of the front seat, the driver, Captain Downs, and Air Jeffery, wore hurled out during the somersault. Air Berend.sen. in the middle of the back seat retained a remarkably clear picture. He described the feeling of detached interest he experienced as the car left the road, lie distinctly counted lour somersaults, the last two being very slow.

Brigadier Falla received crushed ribs and a broken left arm. His condition was serious, at first, blit is improving rapidly. Mr .Jeffery was conscious for some time after the accident, inquiring anxiously about the others. Enter his condition was serious, with delayed concussion, severe body bruises, and a broken arm. but he is now improving. Captain Downs received a broken finger and severe shock. The English driver received a broken thigh. Those proceeded to hospital on the night of the accident. Air Fraser and Mr Beremlsen slept in the Embassy. They were hip early next morning, inquiring the condition of the members of the party, and visited the driver, being pleased at his recovery. In the afternoon they were satisfied with the condition of the others. It is a tribute to Air Fraser's remarkable vitality that the accident did not perceptibly upset him, except for deep anxiety concerning the condition of the others. An American eorrespon dent remarked : “Your Prime Alinistc: is a tough guy.”