CRASH INTO STREAM

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1935, Page 6

CRASH INTO STREAM

DOUBLE DROWNING FATHER AND SON RESIDENTS OF TAIPUHA. ' TRAGEDY NEAR MERCER. • CSpecial to “ Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND. This Day. When the car in which they were riding crashed through the railing of a bridge over the Mangatawhiri stream, near Mercer, about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr Peter Keay, agedi 64, married, a farmer of Taipuha, Paparoa, and his son, Norman William, aged 16, were drowned. The third occupant of the car, another son, Frank Peter, aged 24, managed to escape from the submerged vehicle. Interviewed after the tragedy, Mr Frank Keay said: “We were on our way home after a visit to the Waikato Show at Hamilton. My father was driving, and as we rounded the bend on to the bridge the sun temporarily blinded him. Apparently he realised that he was near the edge of the, roadway and swerved sharply to the left, but the car struck the railing with terrific force.

"Under the water it seemed a very long time before I could find the open window. The two front windows were open. I was sitting in the front seat alongside my father and managed tc force my way through the window. “My father, however, was not so fortunate. My brother was sitting in the back seat, but was trapped, none of the windows being open.”

FURTHER PARTICULARS. RELIEF WORKERS’ EFFORTS. A party of 24 relief workers, who were engaged nearby in bringing firewood ashore, saw , the tragedy from a distance of only three chains. Their attention was attracted by the noise of brakes, and on looking up they saw the sedan car hit the bridge railing and carry away about 30 feet before plunging into the stream, somersaulting as it fell. \ Men rushed to the scene. Three of H. Cooper, R. Marshall and R. Fleming—dived in fully clothed. Mr Fleming struck his head on the vehicle, which lay in about nine feet •of water, and was unable to continue diving. While the rescuers were attempting to open the doors, Mr Frank Keay appeared on the surface. He was partially stunned, and was sinking again when he was rescued and brought ashore by Mr W. Snelgar, who managed to catch him by the hair. Mr Keay was unable to stand. He was taken to the relief camp a short distance away, where he was revived and ’ provided with a change of clothing. Meanwhile the other men, continued ;their _ efforts to open the car doors. A rope from a lorry was attached to the rear axle of the Car, which was then turned on its side, making it possible to open the doors. Mr Keay and ,his son. were pulled out, and artificial respiration applied until Dr -Stewart Douglas, of Pukekohe, arrived, but all efforts were unavailing. The car was later' hauled from the ;stream, and it was found that, despite the heavy impact with the bridge, it was only slightly damaged. Mr Peter Keay was a well-known and respected member of the Taipuha community. He was born ini the district and lived' there all his life. He was 64 years of age and farmed an extensive property in the district. It was from that property, through which it runs, that the road from Tauraroa to Paparoa—Keay’s deviation—was named. Deceased took a keen interest in the welfare of the district, and served on the Telephone Association, the School Committee, and was chairman of the 'Taipuha. Hall Committee. The son, Norman William Keay, was the youngest member of the family, being 16 years of age. Mr Keay is survived by Mrs Keay and four sons.