TERRIFIC CRASH

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1929, Page 6

TERRIFIC CRASH

— LORRY IN FLAMES TWO LIVES LOST. SPECT A TORS PO \V ERL ESS. (Special to “ Northern Advocate.”)' AUCKLAND, This Day. Striking a telegraph post with terrific violence, a Four-ton lorry ownc by Messrs Winstone, Limited, wa wrecked and burst into flames L Mount Eden Hoad carlv last evening

Two of the four occupants were trap ped in the blazing vehicle and were gravely burned, in full view of a group of spectators who could do nothing 1" quell the flames.. Both eventually escaped with their lives and were removed to the Auckland Hospital. The heavy lorry was proceeding to wards town along the Mount Eden Road in the vicinity of Prospect Rise and was running alongside a tramcar until it reached a stationary light van, standing at the kerb. The driver of the lorry accelerated to pass the stationary van before the tramcar, bur just failed, striking it in the rear. Tim lorry then struck the tramcar a l,iglb glancing blow and swerved off to the side of-the road where it struck the pole with terrific force. Instantly the vehicle was a mass of flames, which enveloped Hie cab in . few seconds. Of the four occupants ni the lorry, wh,lch was carrying a load o" earth, the une who standing on the load at the back escaped the lightest as he was able to jump clear when the fire broke out. The other three men in the cab did not faro so well. George Ulich, of 98, Hobson Street, -was thrown from th*e cab to the roadway sustaining severe injuries to lib head. ’

la (hr cab then; I’cmained Hi’.; driver, George Durliam Bbldick, marricd, (if, udm resides a! 111, Rose Road, I’ousonby, and who is engaged as a (|iiarry foreman liy Messrs Win stone Limited, and Frederick Wilkin, oi' !)(i. St. Luke's Road, Mount Albert.

Both .nieu were unable to escape at first. In a few seconds tlie telegraph post was on lire, while, benzine’ from Hie burst tank, which was directly under the driver’s seat, burned all over the roadwav.

Winkiu was able lo make his escape through the shattered windscreen, but not before he had received burns to all parts of h.is body. Riddick was pinned in the driver’s' seat where he was held fast by the steering column which was pushed back almost up against the seat. He fought madly against the tlames. while willing helpers were not able to roach him. The patent hand extinguisher carried in the lorry was hurled by the impact on to the roadway, where it was not in reach of the burning man and where it lay unperceived by those attempting to help. After a fierce .struggle the (Liver broke free and fell on to the road. Spectators went to his assistance and covered him with rugs.

A resident near-by attempted to telephone the hospital as soon as the accident occurred, but none of th‘e telephones in the houses on the side of the road where the crash occurred would work, as the impact with the pole had brought a number of w,ires down. Eventually ambulances were called and the men admitted to hospital.

At a lute 'hour last .evening Biddick was in an extremely serious eo edit ion, while Uilich was also serious. • Wilkin is no,t so seriously burnt as Biddick. A later message states that Frederick Wilkin and . George Durham Biddick, victims of last evening's blazing lorry -acedent* in .Mount Eden Bond, both died at the Auckland Hospital early this morning.