OVER A BANK

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 8

OVER A BANK

LARGE STOCK LORRY DRIVER’S NARROW EBOAPE MISHAP NEAR OPARAU Due apparently to a subsidence in the road, a large lorry loaded with lambs crashed down a 200-foot bank near Oparau yesterday, turning over several times before coming t© rest against a tree. The driver, Mr J. P. Porter, of Te Mata, was thrown out, and escaped with minor injuries. Although the crate on the vehicle was wrecked only four lambs were killed. The lorry, which is owned by Mr F. J. Cleave, of Hamilton East, was travelling from the Kawhia district to Frankton when the accident occurred. Apart from the crate the lorry was not otherwise damaged to any extent. Mr Porter clambered "back to the road and walked about a mile to where another of Mr Cleave’s trucks was waiting. He returned to his home where he is recovering from minor injuries, bruises and shock. The bank over which the lorry dropped was almost sheer and when Mr Porter was thrown out he was catapulted through the air for a considerable distance. He stated that as he was falling he could hear the lorry crashing after him. At any minute he expected it to crush him but fortunately it came to rest against a tree above him.