MOTOR ACCIDENT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3821, 14 October 1936, Page 4

MOTOR ACCIDENT

TRUCK CRASHES THROUGH BRIDGE RAILING. THREE OCCUPANTS PINNED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. While journeying home to Te Rau-a-moa from Te Awamutu on Monday afternoon a Buick halt ton truck, driven by John Parkinson, a member of the family of a well known settler in the district, crashed through the railing of' the Whatiwhatihoe bridge, on the Kawhia-Pirongia main highway, and overturned. A passenger, Allan Parkinson, a cousin ot the driver, sustained injuries that necesslt ted his removal by ambulance to the Waikato Hospital. It. appears that the vehicle left Te Awamutu at about 4.30 p.m. and when crossing the bridge some nine miles on the journey the wheels got off the longitudinal planking, and while the driver was trying to right the trouble the vehicle got out of control, crashed through the railings along the ap proach, and capsized, coming to rest near the edge of the water. The driver and his two companions. Allan Parkinson and Miss Randell, also of Te Rau-a-moa, were pinned underneath, and it was with difficulty that the door of the truck cab could be opened. Miss Randall .and John Parkinson were thus able to release themselves, but Allan Parkinson could not get out, part ot the vehicle pressing on his head. While the other two were frantically trying to get Allan clear a motor ear came past, but the driver could not hear their calls for help, nor did he notice that an accident had occurred. Some time later a passenger service bus driven by Mr L. Kidd passed along, and he was able to render aid. Someone hurried to a neighbouring farmhouse, but nobody was at home; so the messenger went on to the next, and there a telephone message was sent to Te Awamutu. Meantime Allan Parkinson was recovering, but as there was obvious in jury to his head, it was deemed advisable to send him by ambulance to the Waikato Hospital. The other two were lucky in escaping with a shaking and minor bruises and abrasions.

Inquiry at the Waikato Hospital yesterday brought the information that Allen Parkinson sustained a broken collarbone, broken nose and broken jaw, but it was believed there is no fracture of the skull, as at first suspected. His condition yesterday was considered satisfactory. The injured young man is a brother of Mr Neil Parkinson, of Te Awamutu, and was some years ago a pupil of ithe loc'al school.