TAXICAB CRASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21580, 26 August 1933, Page 10

TAXICAB CRASH

ZONE AND POLE STRUCK DRIVER SERIOUSLY HURT VEHICLE LOSES A WHEEL UNUSUAL CITY ACCIDENT A taxieab, which lost a front wheel at tho foot of Parnell Rise shortly after eleven o'clock last evening, struck a safety-zone head-on and rebounded backward across tho street, finally coming to rest against an electric light pole. Tho driver, Mr, R. J. Healy, chairman of directors of Atta Taxis, suffered concussion and severe injuries to the face, and his condition early this morning was reported to be serious. Mr. Healy, who is 48, is married and lives at 38 Crummer Road, Grey Lynn. "It was u most unusual accident," said an eye-witness. Ho. said the taxi, which was travelling at a normal speed toward the city, became out of control a short distance from the safetyzone near Stanley Street when tho near front wheel came off. Tho car struck tho zone and then travelled backward toward tho other side of tho street, tho bgxrk portion of tho cab striking an electric light pole with considerable force. Tho lost wheel came to rest near the zone. Tho theory was advanced that the initial impact threw the gears into reverse, as normally tho car could not have rebounded such a distance.

Mr. Healy was quickly extricated from tho taxi and taken to the Auckland Hospital in a St. John ambulance. There were no passengers in the cab. The vehicle was considerably damaged. The front portion suffered most, although damage also was caused at the back by the collision with tho pole. Tho upright portion of the safety-zone was forced out of position.