FELL INTO RIVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 9

FELL INTO RIVER

THREE MEN IN LOBRY ONE OCCUPANT DROWNED [ Per Press Association. ] WAIPUKUBAU, May 16. A fatal accident occurred late this afternoon on Makaretu Road, three miles south of Onga On go, whereby Frederick William Spotswood, aged 20, lost his life.

It appears that three men employed in a line party by the Post and Telegraph Department were proceeding along the road when, in negotiating the bridge over the Tukituki River the steering gear of their motor lorry apparently failed, precipitating them through the structure into the river, a distance of 12 feet, and pinning Spotswood by the body. The cause of death was drowning. The other occupants of tho lorry, Claud Page, aged 44, married and Robert Stabler, aged 20, single, residents of Waipukurau, escaped with laceration of the head, bruises and shock. Stabler also suffered severe lacerations of the right leg necessitating stitches. Both men struggled from the upturned vehicle from the river and made heroic efforts to lift it, but were unsuccessfully. Page, although suffering severely, walked some chains to a settlers’ residence and advised the police, ’doctor and postal officials.

The mother of deceased lost anothei son in a motor accident, her husbam died and now a second son has beer killed, all within 18 months.