CAR OVER BANK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 8

CAR OVER BANK

SUDDEN PLUNGE FORWARD LADY GOLFER KILLED WELL-KNOWN AUCKLANDER fi ■ FATALITY AT TAKAPUNA Fatal injuries were received by Miss Jessie Reid, a well-known resident of Auckland and prominent in golfinc circles, when tho motor-car she was driving plunged over a 2oft. bank at the foot of Minnehaha Avenue, Takapuna, at 12..'30 p.m. yesterday. The vehicle narrowly missed striking a group of bathers ascending the bank.

Miss Reid, who lived at 5 Alton Road, City, had driven to Minnehaha Avenue with a friend to visit Mrs. P. H. Upton, and to bathe at Thome's Bay. Her companion left the car. an English sedan model, and Miss Reid then drove it away, intending to park it beneath some pohutukawa trees a short distance down the avenue.

People in the vicinity suddenly heard the roar of the engine, and it is assumed that Miss Reid inadvertently stepped on the accelerator instead of the foot brake. The car jumped forward and went over the bank before the driver could regain control. The vehicle passed over the heads of some bathers on the pathway beneath, and it struck the pathway further down. Itcontinued its course and crashed at the foot of the bank without overturning.

Assistance was immediately given the driver, but it was apparent that her injuries were fatal. The steering wheel was broken, and it Is thought that Miss Reid's head struck it. her neck being fractured.

Surprisingly little damage was clone to the car. The front left wheel was smashed, and the mudguards were bent. No glass was broken. The car was hauled back on to' the roadway after considerable difficulty. Miss lieid, who was 50 years of ace, was the daughter of Airs. John Reid. Her brothers are Mr. Sinclair Reid, of Auckland, and Mr. A. Reid, of Wellington. Miss Reid was a pioneer member of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club, and she was prominent for her deep interest in the organisation and the promotion of the game. She was captain of the club for five .years, and was an active member of the committee. She was also an executive member of the Ladies' Golf Union of New Zealand, and was chairman of the organisation for a term. Miss Reid returned to the Dominion last year after accompanying the representative golfers. Miss Oliver Ray, of Dunedin, and Miss Bessie Gaisford, of Marton, on their tour, during which they competed in the British women's golf championship.