BUS SOMERSAULTS OVER BANK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 227, 22 June 1944, Page 3

BUS SOMERSAULTS OVER BANK

Six Passengers In Hospital (By Telegraph,--l’ress Association.) DUNKDIN. June 21. A railway bus which left the city for Port Chalmers last evening somersaultefl over a steep bank near Burkes, six Ol the 26 passengers ttfe in hospital with more or less serious injuries. The injuries were, however, miraculously light considering the fact that the bus was badly smashed by a fall of 40 feet. Passengers and driver concur that just before the accident the bus lights fused, causing the driver to lose sight of the road at a curve. Tile injured are: George McAlister, Duuedin.'the driver, facial injuries; Mrs. Edith Morrison, Port Chalmers, contusions’, Mr. Thomas Braid. Port Chalmers, facial injuries; Mrs. Thomas Braid. Port Chalmers, fractured kneecap; Miss Agnes Robb St. Leonards, abdominal injuries; Mrs. Helen Meredith. St. Leonards, fractured arm. , Many of the other passengers were badly shaken and were attended to at the residence of Mr. C. J. Hayward, at Burkes. , , , , , Mr. McAlister, the bus driver, has had considerable experience of the road. His statement was: “All I can remember is that the lights went out. Then we seemed to turn over two or three times. Everything after that is a blank.” . . . Very prompt arrangements for treatment of the injured were made by the hospital. Two ambulances with three doctors were dispatched and arrangements were made to deal with twice the number of patients eventually admitted. The local manager of the Railway Road Service says it was the first major accident to the railway buses in the district. Curiously enough, some reference to this bus service had been made at a meeting that evening of the West Harbour Council, when Or. Gorton, referring to what he termed “consistently dangerous overloading.” said: “If ever a bus does meet with an accident on -the road it is going to be a terrible one, and I don t want to be in it.” . However, on thi? occasion the bus carried only -6 passengers. KARORI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The annual meeting of tho Karori Horticultural Society was held in the Parish Hall this week- Despite a cold, wet night, there was a good attendance of members- , , x , , The report and balance-sheet revealed a successful year for the society, and the president, Mr. W. H. Stevens, paid special tribute to the work of the committee. He also extended thanks to all who had assisted during the year. The four, shows of the season had made exceptionally good displays and the vegetable section of the autumn show was the best the society had ever staged. There was a credit balance of £llB. T An address on “Compost, by Mr. JC, Stirling, wag a very much appreciated feature of the evening. The following office-bearers were elected:—Patron, Mr. B, Sutherland: president, Mr. W. H. Stevens; chairman of committees, Mr. G. S. Nicoll; hon. secre-tary-treasurer, Mrs. J- Wpson; assistantsecretary, Mr. J. J. Whitehead t committee. Mesdames S. Jones. G. S. Nicoll. A. Ronaldson. E. P. Walton, G. A. Waddell and V. Whittington, Messrs. C. Backhouse. T. L, Barker. G. R. Bremner, A. Crawford. S. Eraser, D. Goodall, J. BHicfanott, A. J. Manton, J. H. Morrison, A, Speedy. E, H. Sutton, H. Urquhart and G. A. Waddell. , A-grant of £lO was made to be expended on parcels for soldiers.