FATAL COLLISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22311, 8 January 1936, Page 12

FATAL COLLISION

YOUNG HOY KILLED MOTOR-OAR STRIKES POLE DRIVER ESCAPES INJURY A hoy, aged II years, was killed and tlx' driver had a miraculous escape from injury when a motor-car in which they were travelling collided violently with a telegraph pole at the foot of West End Road, near Cox's Creek, shortly before 0.30 o'clock yesterday morning. The victim of the accident was William John Freeman and the driver was Barry Arthur Neill, aged 19. Both of them lived at 2 Shelly Beach Road. The boy's father, Mr. Albert Victor Freeman, is a partner in a milk vending business with Mr. Neill. The two persons in the car. an old touring model, were engaged in delivering milk and wero travelling from Grey Lynn to Ponsonby by way of Cox's Creek Bridge. The driver stated that as the car was negotiating the sharp bend after crossing the bridge the near-side rear wheel, which was of the wooden artillery type, collapsed and the sido of the vehicle struck a telegraph pole with considerable force. The body and hood were torn completely off the chassis, which came to rest across the footpath, about 40ft. from the pole. The back axle of the car was bent, owing to the broken wheel having dragged along the roadway. Seirts, splintered woodwork and milk bottles littered the ground between the wrecked car and the hood and body, which were wrapped round the pole. The boy, whose injuries included fractures of the skull and a thigh, was killed almost instantly. His body was picked up near the car. The driver was practically unhurt. An inquest concerning the lad's death was opened in the afternoon before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., coroner, and after formal evidence had been taken it was adjourned.