MOTORISTS TRAPPED BY TIDE

Southland Times, Issue 23717, 16 January 1939, Page 8

MOTORISTS TRAPPED BY TIDE

CAR EMBEDDED IN SAND ON NINETY MILE BEACH (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 15. To see their motor-car with their personal belongings and camping gear the sport of the waves while they stood shivering above high water mark was an experience of Mr and Mrs H. A. Hannay, of Foxton, on Ninety Mile beach. Mr Hannay was travelling up the beach with the intention of camping at the extreme northern end and when rounding a bluff he tried to drive along the sand instead of taking the road which has been blasted over the rocks. The tide was making at the time but the water appeared well away from the foot of the rocks. However, the car was caught in a water hole and an coming wave washed round the vehicle. Seeing it was not possible to save the car Mr and Mrs Hannay tried to salvage their personal effects. They were successful in saving some, all /in a wet ondition, but a big part was lost and they were wet through before the advancing tide drove them away from the car. Word of their plight was brought to Kaitaia and six men with salvage equipment went up the beach after the tide had fallen. An attempt was made to free the car which by this time was embedded in the sand but it was not successful. _ The whole party had to spend the night on the beach. The car was salvaged next day and was taken to Kaitaia a total wreck. This is the fifth car to have been caught on the beach during the past fortnight.