TWO DEATHS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 59, 12 March 1935, Page 6

TWO DEATHS

RESULTS OF INJURIES MOTOR-CYCLE ACCIDENTS WELLINGTON March 11. Two fatal motor-cycle accidents occurred on the main highway between the summit of the Paekakariki Hill and Paraparaumu late yesterday afternoon. The victims were J. C. White, aged 28, a farm hand, of Paekakariki, and Ronald Seddon, aged 18, a sign writer, of Oxford Street, Levin. The first accident was the result of a collision between a car and a motorcycle ridden by Clifford Hayes, an 18-year-old farm hand, of Arawhata Road, Levin. Seddon was a pillion passenger on this machine. Dense clouds of smoke from an adjacent fire obscured the road about a mile south of Paraparaumu when Hayes’ motor-cycle, which was proceeding iu a northerly direction came into collision with the car, which was going in the opposite direction. The accident occurred at about 5 p.m. Seddon suffered a compound fracture of the skull and severe concussion and was admitted to the Wellington Hospital in a serious condition. He died at an early hour this morning. Hayes was fortunate in escaping with a fracture of the right leg and severe lacerations. His condition today was stated to be satisfactory and slightly improving.

The Free Ambulance car on its way to that accident reached the summit of the Paekakariki Hili a few minutes after White was thrown from his motor-cycle there. The driver rendered first-aid to the injured man and conveyed him to the district nurse at Paekakariki whence he was removed by another Free Ambulance car to the Wellington Hospital. He died on admission, as the result of a fracture of the skull,..concussion and shock. How the accident occurred is not known for certain, as the deceased was riding his motor-cycle alone at the time. The machine was found with its front wheel badly buckled and it appeared to have hit a fence. White was employed by Air. F. H. Smith, a farmer, of Paekakariki.