STEERING GEAR MISHAP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22209, 9 September 1935, Page 10

STEERING GEAR MISHAP

TRUCK AND VAN COLLIDE DRIVER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL The snapping of a spring on a motortruck, which locked the steering, was tho cause of a collision between the truck and a motor-van in Grafton Road on Saturday. The van overturned on to its hood, and the driver, Mr. Frederick Henrv Church, aged 29, married, of 9 Barrington Road, Grey Lynn, received head injuries and concussion, requiring his admission to the Auckland Hospital His.condition is not serious. The truck, which is owned by Grey and Menzies, Limited, was being driven by Mr. G. Gibson up Grafton Road toward Symonds Street shortly after 11 a.m. It had just passed tho intersection with Domain Street when the master leaf of the right front spring snapped owing to a flaw in the metal. The steering was instantly affected, and the driver was not able to swerve the vehicle to avoid the van, which was • travelling in the opposite direction. The right front mudguard struck the van immediately behind tho driver's door, and tho van, a new model owned by Sanfords, Limited, was capsized, and. mounting tho kerb, came to rest on the steel-topped hood. Mr. Church had a remarkable escape from serious injury He was assisted from tho van, and, after receiving attention in a near by house, was taken in a St. John ambulance .to the hospital. The front part and the two back wheels of tho van were damaged, while tho right front portion of the truck was battered.