CAR FALLS IN GORGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19525, 3 January 1927, Page 8

CAR FALLS IN GORGE.

PLUNGE OF HSO FEET.

OCCUPANTS' LUCKY ESCAPE. DRIVER BREAKS HIS THUMB. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J ROTORUA, Saturday. To fall with a motor-car for a distance of over 150ftv from the top of a cliff into the gorge belc -v and to escape with only superficial injuries was the remarkable experience of a party of Maoris when proceeding from Wairakei to Taupo between midnight and 1 a.m. to-day. The car, belonging to the Aard Motor Company, and driven by Mr. E. W. Moislev, was conveying three passengers. When it reached an acute bend in the road, where the first sight of the Huka Falls is obtained, the car left the road and fell into the gorge. The driver sustained a broken thumb, bruises and several abrasions. A girl passenger, Whakarangi Huieno, aged 15 years, suffered a lacerated leg, bruises and shock. Tlie other passengers, two young men, escaped with only a severe shaking. When giving ail account of the mishap the driver said he had just turned the cat when the steering gear broke. He felt the car turn ovei: on to its side and then go right over. Glass was flying all about him. Ho did not know any more until he came to at the bottom of the cliff.

" I crawled out," he said, " and called to the others. For a time I got no answer, then the girl replied. I found this other two Maoris were only dazed. 1 told them to stop there and I climbed the cliff and walked back two mlies to Wairakei to get assistance. I got into communication with Constable McMullan at Taupo. We then returned and got the others up on to the road and proceeded to Taupo."

At Taupo the driver and the girl had their injuries dressed-and were then sent on to the Rotorua Hospital. Tho car was very badly damaged..