MOTOR’S MAD PLUNGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10838, 2 March 1921, Page 5

MOTOR’S MAD PLUNGE

FALLS 100 FEET INTO RIVER ONE MAN KILLED, TWO INJURED AND ONE MISSING. MYSTERY SURROUNDS AFFAIR. PALMERSTON N.. March 1. The already lengthy list of fatal motor-car accidents in the Manawatu Gorge was added to on Monday night when a three-seater Ford car convoyinn- four men plunged into the river. Tlio scene of the tragedy was the first bad bend in the road after entering the nortrr from the Ashhur&t end. ”To a certain extent the affair is shrouded in mystery, and as yet the full circumstances have not been brought, to light. The men concerned are Perev Smytlie. plumber; Clarence Davidson" and Reginald Burnham, all of Palmerston North ; and another who is reported to be missing and whose identity ha 9 not yet been established. A feature of the occurrence is that the car was the property pf Goldingham and Beckett, Ltd., and was taken from the front of their premises early that afternoon by some person unknown. The missing man is supposed to have been the driver of the car at the time of the accident. Smvthe, it is understood, had accepted Burnhamfs invitation to join the party. Smythe did not know the occupants. THE INVITATION. It was about 6 o’clock when the invitation was issued near the Princess Hotel, Terrace End. Ashhurst was the first place visited by the f9ur after which it was decided to continue the jaunt to Woodville. All went well until the spot mentioned was reached, when the car, after having practically negotiated the corner, left the road where there is some crib-logging built over a place where the earth had given away.

WHEN THE CRASH CAME. The ear plunged into the river, a fall of almost 100 feet. There were skid marks on the road, while the trees with which the machine came m contact were battered. The car overturned when it reached the bottom and threw the occupants into the water. After a severe struggle they regained the bank. ' Smythe asserts that he assisted Burnham out, and he afterwards saw Davidson lying in a pool of blood. Burnham suffered serious injury to his shoulder and was generally cut about. ' Smythe escaped almost scat-hlees, but Davidson was badly hurt. Smythe struggled to the road and sought assistance, which was very eoon forthcoming. The injured men were eventually removed to Palmerston North by ambulance, Davidson * and Burnham being taken to hospital ftnu Smytlie to his home. Davidson died yesterday morning. Burnham is suffering principally from a dislocated shoulder. THE MISSING MAN.

Strange to say nothing has been heard of the fourth man, and a search of the river has proved fruitless. It was at first supposed -that he was pinned beneath the car, but investigations proved that such was not the case. It was stated by a person who was on the scene witlun a very short time after the accidont that when the three were diaoov ered the fourth was missing. They made a brief search for him. It is the opinion of the Palmerston police that the man is not in the river The "deceased man, Davidson, was 27 years of age.