OVER THE WHARF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17153, 1 October 1926, Page 7

OVER THE WHARF

MOTOR LORRY ACCIDENT LEFT IN REVERSE GEAR (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. An accident of a sensational nature, fortunately unattended by any injuiv, occurred at Wairoa yesterday afternoon, when a lorry, owned by -Mr. Harry iapper, of Waikaretnoana, went backwards over the Wairoa wharf, falling into deep water. The lorry, which was driven by Mr. Jack Tapper, a brother ot the owner, was left- standing ort the wharf while a steel cable weighing over a ton, for logging at the hydro-electric works, was loaded. Prior to leaving the vehicle Mr. lappet placed the lorry in reverse gear, but torgetting that he had done so, lie later cranked up, with the result that the lorry went backwards. The stringer at the edge of the wharf temporarily stopped the lorry's progress, but the impetus carried the heavy cable to the rear of the vehicle, causing to over-balance and fall into the river, h ultimately, only a few minutes before Mrs. Tapper had got out, and a.l the driver could do was to watch, being helpless to prevent the accident.' The coat of the driver, containing a sum of money, which was left on the seat, floated to the surface, and was secured. Tile lorry fell info the river top downwards, and will, therefore, be exceedingly difficult to secure. A diver is to go down to-day and attempt to salvage the machine.