SINGULAR AND SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1341, 14 September 1886, Page 3

SINGULAR AND SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

The Christchurch Press of yesterday reports that on Friday morning Mr B. H. Willis, of Butella, Mervale, was driving out with his wife, and had just turned a corner of a street at the hack of the Carlton Hotel, when a tree fell right on the carriage and its occupants. It seems to have been out down by a Mr Tattnall, and was actually falling when Mr Willis turned the corner. The latter, seeing that escape was impossible, t,l d to get clear by urg.ng on the horse. The attempt, however, was futile the main s*em of the tree, which was »Vut a foot thick, fell between the horse and the splash board, breaking the front axle, and a branch nearly as thick struck

Mr Willis on the head, and crushed him and Mrs Willis on the seat. Mr Willis has a very ugly scalp wound, several inches in length and two or thvee wlce, from which he lost a good deal of blood, and he is besides severely bruised and shaken. Mrs Willis is also badly bruised. The injuries would be dangerous to young persons, but the risk is increased owing to the age of the sufferers. It would > e well to know whether travellers have any protection against accidents of this kind, for it seems a very objeoMonable proceeding to cut trees close to a public road without taking any precautions for the safety of passers-by. Mr Willis displayed great presence of mind when the accident occurred, sticking to the reins in spite of his injuries until assistance came.