CAR FALLS INTO RIVER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 10

CAR FALLS INTO RIVER

AWAKINO VALLEY MISHAP OCCUPANTS ESCAPE INJURY NEW PLYMOUTH PARTY'S CRASH To topple over a 30ft. bank, turn several somersaults and come to rest in 3ft. of water in tho river below the Awakino Valley Road was the unenviable experience of Mr. and Mrs. D. Hutchen, Mr. A. Hutchen and M :, \s Margaret Fraser, all of New Plymouth, when their five-seater sedan had to go too close to tho edge of tho road to avoid another car on Good Friday. f lho occupants had a remarkable escape from injury. The New Plymouth car was on its way to Hamilton, the mishap occurring several miles beyond Awakino township. When an approaching car appeared Mr. A. Hutchen, the driver, had to drive closo to the edge of tho bank. His car tipped over and rolled down a practically vertical bank, turning over at least three times. It struck tho water on its left side and tho occupants scrambled through tho driver's door. Although tho driver of the other car stopped and waited until the New Plymouth people emerged from the fallen car, ho continued his journey beforo they regained tho road. The cold river water that rushed into Mr. Hutchen's car drenched the passengers, who, after they had climbed from the river-bed to road level, were picked up by passing cars and conveyed to New Plymouth. Tho car was extensively damaged, and tho party's holiday luggage was practically ruined. Apart from a few small shrubs there was no vegetation on the bank to impede the fall of tho car, which lauded flat on its sido with a tremendous splash. The occupants wero fortunate to escapo with only bruises and shock.