BRIDGE COLLAPSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23830, 4 December 1940, Page 8

BRIDGE COLLAPSE

TRUCK FALLS IN RIVER LOAD OF PIGS AND CALVES DRIVER'S FORTUNATE ESCAPE [by TELEGRAPH OWN* correspondent] AVHAXGAREI, Tuesday "When a heavy truck he was driving broke through the Black Bridge last evening and fell into the Waitangi Hirer, Mr. Kenneth Boyd, of Kaitaia, escaped with minor injuries. The truck, containing oO pigs and 21 calves, was owned by Mr. B. Beard, carrier, of Kaitaia, and was being driven to the Moerewa freezing works. When it was near the centre of the bridge the structure collapsed, and the vehicle fell about 2oft., coining to rest with its wheels in the air. Pinned by Wreckage The wreckage of the truck pinned Mr. Boyd's right arm. but he was able to keep his head above water. Several near by farmers, attracted bv the noise of the breaking bridge, were able with difficulty to release Mr. Boyd. An attempt was then made to save the animals in the truck, and all but four pigs and six calves were brought to the bank. 31 r. Boyd, who was taken to a near by residence, was attended by Dr. N. G. Mclean, of Kaikohe, before being taken to the Kawakaua Hospital suffering from shuck and abrasions. Several Routes Affected The Black Bridge is a long wooden struct ure built u ell o\ er half a centurv ago, and is one ol the key bridges in the Bay of Islands County. It spans the Waitangi Hirer at the junction of the roads from Paihia, Oromahoe, "H aimaie North and Kaeo. It is also on the service car route from the further north to the railway at Otiria. Ciilil repairs are carried out or the bridge is replaced, all traffic from the north will now have to take the longer route through Ohaeawai, while traffic from the inland districts to Paihia and Waitangi will have to travel round the Oromahoe route. The collapse of the bridge will also dislocate cream collection in the immediate area.