ROAD FATALITIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 253, 25 October 1937, Page 6

ROAD FATALITIES

TWO NEAR WANGANUI DEATHS OF YOUNG MEN MISHAPS AT KAI IWI AND TURAKINA Two road fatalities, separate and distinct from each other as regards location and otherwise, occurred near Wanganui on Saturday round about 5 o’clock in the evening. In both instances a young man lost his life. Maurice King, single, aged 21, only son of Mr and Mrs A. G. King, St. John’s Hill, Wanganui. Bertram Walter Fitzwater, single, aged 20, third ton of Mr and Mrs F. Fitzwater, of Patea. Mr Maurice King, in a light open car of sports type, was travelling towards Wanganui on the main highway coming from Bulls. Approaching the last bend before entering Turakina township, .just, south of the Turakina School, he apparently saw a lorry travelling towards him, and when swinging his car in towards his correct side either a skid developed or one of the rear wheels collapses, causing the vehicle to capsize. Marks on the road suggested that the car somersaulted three times and Mr King was apparently killed instantaneously, suffering severe injuries to his head, including a fracture of the base of the skull. He was picked up lying on the asphalt road. The car. which would afford occupants no protection in the event of a .some."-a was extensively damaged, a.’.-r.o *. rz.yond repair. The accident o'-c-rred about 5 o'clock and was later attended by Dr. G. Harpur, of Marto.i the Marton police and the War.gar.-. St. John Free Ambulance. Mr King was well known in Wanganui because of his ability as an a.r pilot. Joining the Wanganui Aero Club when he was quite a lad, he distinguished himself in many of the club’s competitions, displaying outstanding skill in handling the machines, particularly in taking off and landing, as well as at high altitudes. He had not long been a member of the club when he was able to accomplish encouraging altitude feats with the Moth ’planes available. His interest did much to pioneer the cause of aviation in Wanganui. The late Mr King was the holder of a commercial pilot’s licence and had more than 500 hours’ flying experience in several types of machines.

When he met his death, Mr King was engaged making a secret check in connection wdth a sports model car reliability trial which was taking place along the main road between Wellington and Taranaki. It was his duty to note the times of cars passing by and his checks would be compared later with others. The Kai Iwi Accident At a quarter to five, Mr Fitzwater, who was travelling from Wellington to his home in Patea, riding pillion on a motor-cycle, received a fractured skull and broken arm when the cycle became involved in a collision with a lorry opposite the Kai Iwi general store, and just before the bridge at the foot of the hill on the Waverley side of Kai Iwi township. The cycle was driven by Mr Sidney Rice, a single man, aged 20, of Aro Street, Wellington. He was en route to Hawera and when the accident occurred he was not injured. The pillion rider, however, was hurried to the Wanganui Public Hospital in the St. John Free Ambulance, but he died at 6.30 p.m. Mr Rice, after the arrival of the police, was able to mount his machine and continue his journey. Mr Fitzwater, who was of quiet disposition, has lived practically the whole of his life in Patea. He was a son of the superintendent of the Patea Fire Brigade, and some two or three months ago went to Wellington to accept employment. He was on his way home for the Labour Day weekend when the accident occurred. INQUESTS OPENED EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION Inquests were formally opened on Saturday night before the District Coroner, Mr S. M. Dixon, J.P. Evidence of identification was given in both cases and the inquiries were adjourned. BUSY AMBULANCES WORK DURING THE WEEK-END The Wanganui St. John Free Ambulance coped with both calls to the fatal accidents which occurred on Saturday. The summons from Kai Iwi came at 4.45 p.m. and the other call at 4.55 p.m. The ambulancedrivers state that there was particularly heavy traffic on the road at the time and that, it extended every courtesy io the St. John vehicles. On Saturday nine calls were made on lhe ambulance service, seven medl cal cases in addition to the two accidents. In the one day the ambulances travelled 233 miles, including journeys to Ngamatapouri and Kauang.iroa. Yesterday a further long distance call, to Matahiwi on the Wanganui River, brought the total mileage up to 306 for the two days.