ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19598, 10 June 1935, Page 7

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

PETROL LORRY ABLAZE. INJURIES TO DRIVER. As a result of an accident in which a lorry which he was driving and which was loaded with 120 gallons of benzine, caught fire near Pakipaki last night, Mr David Priest, of Te Ante, Is a patient in a hospital at Hastings, suffering from severe burns. His condition is reported as painful' but not serious.

Apparently the lorry was being driven by Mr Priest with his father, Mr George Priest, as a passenger. When the fire broke out it was impossible to do anything toward subduing 'the flames or removing the benzine. The fire made an alarming sight and ultimately the benzine exploded with a sound that startled the whole neighbourhood. The lorry was completely destroyed.

FALL FROM FLAGPOLE. DEATH 'OF SINGLE MAN. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. As the result of a fall from a flagpole at his home, Mr William Davis, a gardener, aged 45 years, died in Christchurch Hospital on Saturday afternoon head injuries. Mr Davis, who was a single man, made a hobby of flying flags and on Saturday was painting his flagstaff when lie fell 30 feet to the foothpath below.

DEATH OF FOOTBALLER.

SECOND WELLINGTON FATALITY. WELLINGTON, Sunday. A Rugby player, Charles Connor Estall, aged 23, died' In the Lewisham Hospital on -Saturday night as the result of an injury received while playing for the Petone first division junior team against Wellington Club at Petone on Saturday afternoon.

During the match, which is said to have been hard but clean, Estall was 'tackled low by a Wellington player -and was struck on the side of the head by his opponent’s knee. He later developed more serious -symptoms and was taken to the hospital. This is the second young player who has died from injuries received on the Rugby field at Wellington this season.

MOTOR-CYCLISTS' HURT.

SKI’D INTO BOULDER. WE'STPORT, Sunday. Two young men, both residents of Picton, while travelling through the Buffer Gorge to Westport on a motorcycle, met with a mishap to-day. The machine caught-on a projection in the bank and skidded across the road, to -strike a big stone. The victims were Mr Jack Trernbath, the rider of the motor-cycle, and -Mr Norman Steele, the pillion-rider. Both suffered fractures of their left legs and they were removed to the Buffer Hospital. They were found on the road 45 minutes after the accident occurred.

ELDERLY MAN HURT.

STRUCK BY MOTOR-CAR. AUCKLAND, Monday. A pedestrian, aged BG, Mr Edward Farmer Cooksey, retired, a widower, suffered concussion as a result of being struck by a motor-car at One Tree I-lill, yesterday afternoon. When Hie accident occurred Mr Cooksey was crossing Campbell Road and the car was proceeding toward the city along Campbell Road. The injured man was taken to the Auckland Hospital where his condition last night was described as being critical.

LIGHTNING STRIKES CAR. PLUNGE OVER STEEP BANK. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. Lightning struck a ~°-dan motor-car on Hatanui Hill, two i dles from New Plymouth, late to-night, temporarily i blinded the driver, and extinguished Hie lights. The car plunged over a bank " and somersaulted four times down a gully. The driver, Mr F. Ward, contractor, of New Plymouth, suffered a severe gash on the head through coming Into contact with the smashed steering wheel, but his three companions escaped with a severe shaking.