DRIVER'S ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22191, 19 August 1935, Page 10

DRIVER'S ESCAPE

CAR DIVES INTO RIVER CRASH THROUGH BRIDGE RAILS [from our own correspondent] KUMEU, Sunday Managing to thrust open the door of his sedan car though it was under water, Mr. H. 0. Mellsop, president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, had a very narrow escape from drowning on Saturday evening when his car skidded on the Riverhead Bridge and dived through the rails straight into tho river. The night was very wet and stormy. Mr. Mellsopp, who was on his way homo from the North, said that a 8 soon as his car got on the old bridge it commenced to skid. He was unsuccessful in his endeavour to right it, and it plunged into the river. Mr. Mellsopp was able to extricate himself and get ashore. Ho walked to the Riverhead Hall, where a re-union of the Riverhead returned soldiers was in progress. Mr. Mellsopp was taken to his homo much shaken but comparatively unhurt.

The car had not been recovered this morning.

PLUNGE INTO STREAM CAR SKIDS OFF ROAD [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] HAMILTON. Sunday The five ocdupants of a sedan car had a narrow escape from drowning or serious injury when their vehicle loft tho Waingaro-Glen Afton road and fell into a stream early this morning. The car, which was owned by Mr. Matthew Hutchinson, of Pukemiro, was driven by Mr. Leslie Hunderstone, aged 23, of Rotowaro. Tho partv had visited Waingaro Springs and wore returning to Pukemiro, and on their way back they were caught by a heavy squall. Tho car skidded in tho soft clay and left the road. It somersaulted several times and came to rest in tho bed of the stream, whidh is about five feet deep. Fortunately the top of the hood became detached and tho occupants, although thoroughly soaked, made their escape through tho opening in tho hood. Mr. Hunderstone was tho only one injured and ho was admitted to tho Waikato Hospital, suffering from bruises and abrasions. His condition is reported to bo not serious.

STRUCK BY EXPRESS OAR HURLED INTO CREEK [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] GREYMOUTH. Sunday . Three occupants of a motor-CRr returning to Gre.vmouth from the Kaiato golf linka yesterday afternoon had a fortunate escane when tho rear of the car was struck by the ChristchurchGroymouth express. The car was hurled into a creek at tho side of the track and was extensively damaged. Mr. R. G. Brickoll suffered a dislocated collarbone, abrasions, and shock; Mr. W. K. Richmond, tho driver, a gash on the right cheek; and Mr. ,J. G. O'Malley, abrasions, and shook.