FIVE IN HOSPITAL

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 317, 30 September 1940, Page 2

FIVE IN HOSPITAL

SERIOUS MOTOR ACCIDENT SCHOOL BUS HITS BRIDGE BAD FOG ENCOUNTERED NINETEEN PASSENGERS MOSTLY BASKETBALL 'GIRLS A serious motor accident .occurred at the Tirohanga stream bridge, about three miles from Opotiki, on the main Opotiki-Te Kaha highway, at about 4 o’clock yesterday morning. ’ Five people were injured and were admitted to the Opotiki hospital. Those injured arc: Mrs. Allan Swinton. Mrs, Charles Mitai. Miss Hene Stirling. Miss Mika Eruera. Mr. Robert Crawford, single. All reside at Waihau Bay and RaukoEore and are suffering from concussion, cuts and shock. The school bus is owned by Mr. W. Walker, Waihau Bay and had been hired to take people to the basketball match played at Opotiki. At the time of the accident the bus was being driven by a young Maori named W. Apiata, who has been driving for Mr. Walker for two years. It is considered that the accident was due to a heavy bank of fog which was lying over the bridge and in the vicinity. . The bus left for Waihau Bay early on Sunday morning and was taking the second bend on to the bridge when it struck the right hand post at the end of the bridge. The bus then dived with its nose into the stream, the water of which is several feet deep at the spot, being subject to tidal fluctuation. Fortunately the bus did not overturn. As the heavy vehicle went over the bank the overhanging back was “kicked” upwards, the passengers in the rear portion being flung forward to tho front of the truck and to the right hand side. All those badly injured were suffering from head injuries and cuts from broken windows. Others in tho truck were badly shaken. The bus was considerably damaged. Tile police were notified at about 4.30 a. in. by Mr. Frank McDonald, lorry-driver, .that there had been an accident at the bridge. ' Sergeant J. Isbister immediately proceeded to the scene of the accident and found that the four women and girls who had been injured had already been removed to hospital. Mr. Robert Crawford was lying on the bank in an unconscious condition and he was also sent to hospital as soon as possible. The road at tho bridge is very dangerous, there being two sharp bends on the Opotiki side and another bend right on the other end of the bridge. Tenders were called for the construction of a new concrete bridge on a greatly improved alignment and a tender was accepted by the Opotiki County Council, subject to the approval of the P.W.D. engineer. As an economy measure the Main Highways Board decided not to construct the new bridge in the meantime.