MOTOR-LORRY CAPSIZES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18299, 16 January 1923, Page 6

MOTOR-LORRY CAPSIZES.

FALL OF SEVENTY FEET, 1 17 PASSENGERS THKDWN OUT '.'■■■ ...X '■■ . ■;;- ... '. '■■'.■, . ,' . ESCAPE SERIOUS INJURY. [BY . TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] GREYMOUTH. Monday. • Through the locking, of the steering gear, a motor lorry carrying. 17. picnickers to Punakaiki yesterday, fell 70ft.. down an embankment at Baty's Creek, turning four somersaults in the process. ' Though scattered over 'the hill in all directions,, the passengers miraculously escaped with comparatively minor .injuries. The lorry had negotiated the worst part of the road, and had.' rounded the. bend above the creek, and. .was travelling at a low rate of speed. Just as the driver was turning for the bottom of the hill, the steering gear locked, and the vehicle; with its human burden, rushed on, uncontrolled and tumbled sideways over tho bank. ''.'■■""■■ . The first somersault upset both. seats »and threw the passengers over the embankment. The driver, Herbert Leach, and another passenger, Mrs. C. Fraser, were still imprisoned : in the front seat of the car, and had perforce to remain there for the next three somersaults. They managed to escape at the bottom of the embankment. : Mrs. Fraser sprained her ankle, and Leach sustained two deep cuts on the right cheek. Considering ..the height of the hill and the manner in Which the car fell, their, escape with such mild consequences was miraculous. Dazed, battered, and bruiaed, the other , members of the party lay motionless on the side of the hill for some seconds after the crash of the lorry. One by one they regained full consciousness. ■ A pathetic incident was the discovery of the baby of Mr. and Mrs. P. Ryan. The little infant'had been thrown - out with the others and received a' slight scratch on the face. Mrs. Ryan, who was one of the "capsized," was naturally much concerned, and, when the baby was returned to her, the sight of the blood on its face did not ease her mind. The youngster, however, Was.plucky, and with its kicks and smiles soon reassured itsanxious mother. "■■'-'-. None of / those at the itop of the hill was seriously injured, except Miss Freda SMundy, who sustained a fracture of v _the left collarbone and a sprain in the right wrist. The other members of the party escaped with bruises and ' shock. . Two passengers had a wonderful escape from 'being crushed by. the car a3 it tumbled down. The escape of most- of the passengers is attributed to the fact that they were seated on loose forms, which came off at the first somersault. ' v Three niotor-ears came upon the party in their woeful' state shortly after the accident occurred. A party of Marist old boys was among the number, and was quick to realise the position., One or two of trie put their ambulance knowledge to good .account, although the work of improvising was somewhat difficult..'. ..- - - ■; "' . When the injured members of the party leturned to town, medical assistance was obtained. Mrs. Fraser was found to be suffering from a-severely sprained ankle, a bruised, thigh, and slight chest injury; Miss F. Fraser suffered somewhat: severely from shock, and other members of the /party were suffering. from the effects of scalp wounds. ■: ; ■ > ; ; ; The motor lorry evidently enjoyed some of the: good fortune that attended its passengers, for, although the chassis 'was ' crumpled up, none of the .glass was broken, and, > strange to say, a' quantity of crockery on board escaped t Without ■ a crack. .- ; '.'.--, 'M'-: