HEAVY DEATH ROLL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23230, 27 December 1938, Page 9

HEAVY DEATH ROLL

NEW SOUTH WALES MANY ROAD ACCIDENTS PERFECT HOLIDAY WEATHER TRAVELLERS* LONG WAIT By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received December 'J7, 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 26 Twenty-four persons have been killed and at least 60 injured in holiday accidents yesterday and to-day in New South Wales. The casualties were chiefly due to road accidents in all parts of the State. It is feared some of the injured will not recover. A party of 46 young men and women campers from the Church of Christ at Enmoro had an unpleasant experience to-day. All had quitted the camp near Como to go swimming in the Woronora River, two miles distant, when a fire completely destroyed the camp and the whole of their personal belongings and jewellery. A few were able to borrow clothes and the remainder were compelled to return to the city in bathing suits and borrowed overcoats.

An aeroplane accident occurred this afternoon on the north coast beach of Yamba, when a machine landing with joyriders ran into two men, one of whom was severely injured. The aeroplane's propeller and one wing were broken when it partly overturned as the pilot was trying to avoid the crowd of holiday-makers.

Perfect sunmipr weather favoured the holidays in New South Wales and there was a great exodus from the city to countrv and seaside resorts.

The Wanganella's passengers had an unenviable experience, when, after arrival from Wellington late last night, taxicabs were at a premium and at least 200 passengers were compelled to remain until early this morning sitting on their trunks awaiting transportation to their hotels and homes. The majority of the city taxis had been engaged for country trips and holiday vacations. HOLIDAY TRAGEDIES MELBOURNE EXPERIENCE FOUR LIVES LOST MANY PEOPLE INJURED (Received December 27. 12.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 26 .Melbourne spent the holiday season in very hot weather, which brought most people out of doors. Although there were few accidents on Saturday and Sunday, which gave rise to hopes that the special warnings had the desired effect, to-day, which was again very hot, produced a large number of summer tragedies in Avhich three persons are believed to have been drowned, one killed and a great number injured in car smashes. The drowning accident occurred at Chelsea Bay, a resort 20 miles from Melbourne, where a light sailing skiff capsized and three men were thrown out. Their names are not known yet. Only one body has been recovered. Mrs. Margaret Dunstan, of Ballarat, was killed and four others were injured when a car overturned on the Geelong- I Ballarat road. Other accidents occurred all over the State.