THREE PEOPLE KILLED

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1929, Page 4

THREE PEOPLE KILLED

TWO WOMEN AND A CHILD LANDSLIDE IN A GORGE. TREE STRIKES LORRY. (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) WESTPORT, This Day.

An accident, where three people were killed, occurred ‘through a, landslide at Blackwatcv, Buller Gorge, last night. The victims were: Mrs Parker and iier infant daughter and Mrs Southern (Mrs Parker’s mother). , It appears that Mr Parker, ■ a carrier, was coming from Inangahua Junction to Tiroroa in a motor lorry with his wife, two children and Mrs Southon. To allow a service car from Nelson to pass through, he pulled to the side of the road just as a big slip came away, carrying a. tree with it. The tree struck the lor,ry* killing Mie three above-named.

Parker got clear with some injuries. Assistance was sought from the railway construction camps and (the -other child rescued in a battered state. The bodies were recovered.

A later message states that apparently the tree fell on the side of the ■cab and half-tipped the lorry, which then righted itself. When the rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident Mrs Parker and the infant wore already dead. Mrs Southon. was buried underneath the wreckage and the rescuers were unable to extricate her fpr a considerable time. The lorry was / practically undamaged. The slip was due to the result of ■heavy rain experienced during the past few days. This morning Mr Parker and the boy were reported to 'be progressing favourably. The tragedy occurred withip a ohaia of the place where” Atkinson 'Watson lost their lives.