SIXTEEN DEATHS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25427, 7 January 1944, Page 4

SIXTEEN DEATHS

HOLIDAY ACCIDENTS SLIGHT INCREASE IN NUMBER j Although there were more fatalities and serious accidents during the recent I holiday season than there were at i either of the previous two Christmas | and New Year periods, the totals are smaller than those for holiday periods I before the war. This may in part be attributable to the great decrease in motor traffic as the result of petrol and tyre restrictions. Since Christmas 16 drownings and other fatal accidents have been reported throughout the Dominion, compared with 11 for the 1942-43 period and five for 1941-42. In the 1937-38 holiday season there were 22 fatalities, and there were 19 in the corresponding period of 1938-39. The difference between peace ana war years is even more marked in a comparison of the numbers who suffered serious injury. There were approximately 45 victims of accidents during the recent season, against 34 a year ago and 13 two years ago. In the 1937-38 season there were over 50 and there were about 70 during the 1938-39 period. . , .. The following, table indicates how the various fatalities were caused during the past two seasons and in the immediate pre-war season of 1938-39: —

In each season, most of the accidents resulting in serious iniury were either falls or collisons involving vehicles.

1938-39 1942-43 1943-44 Bathing . • - • 3 4 7 Boating . • • • 1 Motor, tram, train 15 3 Falls — 1 'Other causes — 1