FOUR PERISH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 6

FOUR PERISH

BLAZING MOTOR-CAR THREE MEN AND WOMAN NO HOPE OF RESCUE TRAGEDY NEAR PAPAKURA (By Telcrrarß.—Pr.,» Aaioclitlon) AUCKLAND, Tue»d»y Four people were burned to death when a email oar ran Into e ditch, oapelzed and bunt Into flemea about a mile north of Papa> kura at 1 o’clook thla morning. The number of the oar waa 6884. The vletlme wen:— Mr William Millar (32), of Weymouth, labourer, married with thne ehlldren. Mr Maurloe Warderton (40), of Menu re wa, labourer, alngle, employed by the Manukau Coif Club. Mr Walter Ernest Briggs (34), widower, employed on a farm at Brookby. Mlaa Boaala Williams (Cl), a waltraaa at tha Papakun Hotel, a „.Ja The licensee of the Papakura Hotel told a reporter that two of the men named called at the hotel yesterday and asked Miss ‘Williams to*go to a dance at Patumahoe, near Pukekohe. He was told last evening that Miss Williams had gone to the dance. She had been employed at the hotel since Christmas, having come from Walpu, North Auckland. Returning Prom Danoe It is surmised the car was returning from Patumahoe in the direction of Auckland. It waa seen to plunge ofT the road on what is known as the Takanlni straight by Mr Eric Turner, of Waerenga, who was driving an approaching car. He and some companions jumped out and as they were rushing to the upturned car it burst into flames. They called “is there anyone inside?” A man's voice replied “yes,” but we can’t get out.” Resouera Driven Baok Mr Turner was accompanied by two men and a woman passenger. They tried to approach the car but were driven back by the intense heat. Realising they were unable to help Mr Turner and a companion, Mr Robert Kelly, drove to the Papakura Police Station. Two oonstablee with fire extinguishers rushed to the eoene end helf-en-hour later got the first body out of the burning oar. It waa an hour later before they got the other throe out. The flames were not extinguished until the car was destroyed and the charred skeletons of the former occupants were not recognisable. There was no personal property that could be identified. Three tine of very charred tobacco were found and also an enamel badge with the inscription obliterated. The police believe two men were In the front seat and Miss Williams with a man behind. The bodies were removed to the morgue at Papakura. Hamilton Motorist on Spot The tragedy occurred about 1.5 a.m. The police were advised at 1.15, the first body was recovered at 2 o’clock and the other three by 3 o’clock. A Hamilton motorist, Mr Bruce Marshall who was travelling close to the car made a statement to the police that he heard a screech of brakes and, looking back, saw' a car swerve and disappear. Immediately there was a great burst of flame. He returned but was unable to approach to within ten feet of the burning car. He saw- at least three people. They were motionless. He telephoned for the police and an ambulance. “Heat Wee Terrific” Other parties of motorists reached the scene shortly afterwards. One, Mr H. J. Hartley, of Auckland, said the car was blazing in the ditch. ‘‘The heat was terrific.” he said. ‘‘l was afraid our own benzine tank and also the benzine tank of the blazing car might explode. The chassis was red-hot. I could see the remains of a man near the wheel.”