MIDGET CAR CRASH

Chronicle (Levin), 2 March 1948, Page 8

MIDGET CAR CRASH

Seveit Injured When Racer y Hurtles Into Crowd Four people wero seriously injured and three sliglitly injured when they .were' struek by a midget car whieh hurtled through the heavy board fencing at the Palmerston North Speedway last night. The seriously injured were: — Gv .BREMNER, 259 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North, severe leg and head inju'fies; condition veritieal but expected to improve. LOIS MeCAULKY, Milson Line, employee of the Oliild Welfare Bepartment,. head injuries; condition satisfactory. JOHN WHITELOCK, faj'mer, Kauwhata, head injuriesj condition satisfactory. • NOEL DESMOND D'ATH, Kauwhata, head injuriesj condition satisfactory. S. McQuilkan, driver, of the car, Auckland, Suffered a cut- lip and after treatment was discharged. Two other ■persons were involved in the aeeident but after treatment on the spot they were allowed to proceed to their homes. The accident occurred in the second to last race when McQuilkan, attempting to pass another car on the outside, lost control and plummeted ipto the fence. The spectators were standing close to the fence and the car struek them sidewavs, sending them flving in all directions. Bremner was standing against the steel bumper of. a light truck behind the spectators and the car caught liim aeross the legs, erush-

i~ug tnem against tue bumper and almost severing his right foot. ' McQuilkan was flung clear and apart frorti the cut lip and a severe shaking appeared unharmed. Red Cross and St.. John Ambulance men were quickly on the scene and caring for the injured persons. A poliee party-was necessary to keep the spectators back and it was 'qnly after track officials eame to fheir assistance that tbe ambulance men were able to proceed witli their work unhindered. An ambulance was summoned and the injured people were eonveved to the Palmerston North. Ilospital* McQuilkan was . driving in his first race on the Palmerston North track in a new car, 4the vehicle being badlv damaged. As soon, as the accide'nl occurred the race was stopped and the final race was lield up for 15 minutes 'while tho injured were attended to: A boy's new bicycle was a minor casuajty. It was only jnst visible under the wreckage of the car. Oue of the persons who .wero treated minor iii jurJes was a marriecl woman who was standing on the" back of tke light truck. When the car struek the. truck slie was standing, with severai others, on the tray. Th.ey were aM thrown to the ground in a heap, tho I woman injuring her back.