MOTOR FALLS INTO CREEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 10

MOTOR FALLS INTO CREEK.

ONE HUNDRED FEET DROP. POSTMASTER FATALLY HURT. COMPANIONS ESCAPE LIGHTLY. FAILURE OF STEERING GEAR'. TbV TELEG3APn.— CORRESPONDENT.] PALMERSTON NORTH. Friday. Particulars have been received heio from Pahiatua of a serious motor accident when a seven-seater car, driven by Mr. H. Scott, post office chauffeur, of Welling, ton, and containing Messrs. H. McGill senior clerk of the postal division, general post office, and Mr. J. J. France, postmaster at Eketahuna, was precipitated into a creek from a height of fully 100 ft. The accident occurred at a spot known at Campbell's Gully, and the car was rounding a dangerous bend when the steering gear failed to respond. The car slid over the bank and turned over two or three times before reaching the bottom of the creel;. The occupants were thrown out as the car descended. Mr. McGiil was practically unhurt, and at onco went to the assistance of the others. He found Mr. Scott had beeu caught in the descent by a log on the side of the gully. He was temporarily stunned, but soon recovered. Mr. France was discovered lying in the creek with his face just above water. After getting him into a place of safety Mr. McGill climbed out of the gully and set .off to the nearest telephone. ' Dr. Paterson was summoned, and proceeded immediately to the scene of the accident. It was seen that Mr. prance's injuries were serious., and the doctor conveyed him to the Pahiatua Hospital, after rendering first aid. He died in the hospital Ibis morning. Mr. Scott was found to be, suffering from a flesh wound on the thigh, while Mr. McGiil escaped with a few bruises. Mr. McGiU had been sent out to take an independent ballot of settlers regarding the Pahiatua-Ekctahuna rural delivery and it while ho was on this.duty that the accident occurred. Mr. Scott is an inmate of the hospital suffering principally from shock and will probably remain in the institution for. a few days.