MOTOR SMASH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16121, 9 May 1923, Page 3

MOTOR SMASH.

FATALITY AT FARNDON

Another motor fatality occurred on Sunday evening, this time at Farndon, where David Boyd, a well-known taxi driver, of Napier, was killed outright (states the Napier Telegraph.) Mr Percy Le Crovo was seriously injured, suffering a concussion of the brain, and Miss Hindman, a visitor from Gisbome, was badly cut about the lower limbs, and both were removed to the Napier Hospital. Two other passengers in, the car, Miss L. De Friez and Miss M. Le Grove, a daughter of Mr. Percy Le Grove, both received minor injuries. They also suffered from shock. The car appeared to have come from Hastings via Pakowhai, and when it reached Farndon the driver failed to realise that ho had reached the end of the road, and therefore had to turn to his left to continue on to Napier. The car, however, continued almost straight across the road and crashed into a. telegraph pole, which was knocked slightly out of the perpendicular. The car was badly knocked about. The radiator and windscreen were smashed and the right wheel was completely wrecked and the right-hand door was broken off the body. Miss De Friez said that the party had engaged Mr. Boyd to drive them to Hastings and back. They left Napier at about 7 p.m., and set out on the return journey shortly after 9.30. All went well " until the party reached Farndon Park. Previously Miss De Friez had noted on three occasions that the speed of the car, as recorded by the speedometer, never exceeded 25 milos per hour; the indicator recording a speed between that figure and 20 miles per hour. "Just before tho crash," said Miss De Friez, "I saw the telegraph post right, in front of us, and I called out, 'Look out, you'll loso your wheel,' but the driver did not answer. The collision followed immediately. , I was thrown out on the left hand side of the car, and Miss Le Grove, who was sitting between flic driver and myself, was thrown out on the right-hand side. Mr. Boyd did not seem to move. He must have been hurt by tho steering wheel and ho never spoke again."

When Miss Do Friez realised what had happened she asked if anyone was hurt, and then walked round the car. Miss Hindman was at tho rear, all huddled up and badly injured about tho legs. Miss Lo Grove was on tho right side. By this time some people had arrived and Mr. Le Grove was discovered under the collapsed hood, and Bovd was in the front seat.

Miss Do Friez stilted that the night was a dark ono and it was raining. The wind screen in front of the driver was clean, as Mr. Boyd had used the patent screen cleaner attached to the car. Tt wag her opinion that Mr. Boyd had lost control of the car.

An inspection of the scene of the accident next morning bore- out Miss De Friez's impression, for the wheel tracks continued almost in a straight lino to the post which caused the trouble. According to a car driver, who saw the car shortly after tho accident, tho whole right-hand side of the vehicle was stripped as far as tho rear wheel. It was his opinion that the deceased saw the post a. few feet away and made an effort to avert a collision. As Boyd's face was cut badly right down the centre it was surmised that he bad leaned out to get a better view just before the impact, and that, he was either struck bv tho post or the wind-screen upright. which was forced back by tho weight of the post. The deceased was stated to bo a careful driver and Miss De Friez remarked that ho was perfectly normal on the trio home.

To-day it was reportnd that Mr. Le Grove's condition was not very serious. and that it was hoped a good recovery would be made. Miss Hindman, who ramo from Oisborno hut is believed lo belong to Wellington, was reported to be making good progress, llcv injuries were not dangerous and Iho shock sbn bad re ceived would gradually pass away. Miss Do Friez had her clothing- badly cut about but she was fortunately able to tret about to-day. Miss Lo Grove, whose face was much bruised was able to bo about to-day.