FATAL ACCIDENT

Southland Times, Issue 22362, 29 June 1934, Page 6

FATAL ACCIDENT

CAR OVERTURNS OTAUTAU FOOTBALLER’S DEATH COMPANIONS ESCAPE

A popular and prominent Western District footballer, Michael Edward Gonley, aged 23, single, a hairdresser of Otautau, lost his life tragically at 12.15 a.m. yesterday when a motor car overturned near Happy Valley. The deceased had taken part on Wednesday afternoon in a football match at Orepuki and with four companions, William Campbell, R. Campbell, Ray Hope and Ramsay, he remained to attend a dance there in the evening. With W. Campbell at the wheel the deceased and Hope in the front seat and R. Campbell and Ramsay in the dickey seat, the return journey via Tuatapere was commenced. Shortly after midnight the car w T as approaching the intersection of the Happy Valley road with the main road. The driver mistook the corners, but as he came to the bridge he realized his error and applied the brakes. The sudden application apparently caused a rear wheel to collapse, the car then capsizing and pinning Gonley, Hope and the driver underneath. The two passengers in the dickey seat were thrown clear and immediately attempted to extricate their less fortunate companions. They could not lift the car, however, and had to seek assistance. When about twenty minutes later this was forthcoming the vehicle was righted and Campbell and Hope were released little the worse for their experience.

Gonley, however, was' lying unconscious and later, when Constable Skipworth and Dr! Dodds arrived, the latter pronounced life extinct, death being due to a broken neck and a fractured skull. The deceased was the son of the late Mr aitd Mrs Michael Gonley, and on his father’s death he assumed control of the business of which he was making a success. He was of a bright and sunny disposition, and was held in the highest esteem by all. He was keenly interested in sport, and was a Western District representative footballer, as well as a valuable member of the Otautau Club. He took part in the Town — Western match at Rugby Park on Country Day. He was also a member of the Otautau Cricket Club and some years ago figured prominently as an amateur boxer.