THE LATE FATAL COACH ACCIDENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 448, 18 November 1870, Page 2

THE LATE FATAL COACH ACCIDENT.

An accidcns occurred to the Tokomairiro coach on Wednesday the 9th inst., which resulted in the death of a passenger, Mr. Eyrie, of Balclutha. There are circumstances connected with the sad affair which render it peculiarly distressing. Mr. Eyrie had been married in Dunedin tire day previous to a young lady lately arrive ! from Scotland He, accompanied by the bride, had stayed at Mr. Adams’ accomodation house the night before, and, when the accident took place he had not been half an hour on the coach. Mr. Mackay, of Waitahuna. a passenger, has furnished us with the pariiculars, which very nearly correspond with the evidence elicited at the inquest. The coach ha t loft Dunedin at the usual hour in the morning, and had on board fourteen passengers, three of whom were on the box seat. Mr. Henry Ncttlofol 1 was the driver ; and during the long period of nineteen years in acting.as driver and road manager for Cobb and Co. he has gained the character of being very careful and attentive. About one mile and a half on this side of the Taieri Ferry, and on a level and smooth part of the road, the nut fell from the axle, and the near fore wheel came off, the coach at once tipping over. Mr. Mackay was thrown a considerable distance clear of the vehicle, without receiving any maternal injury. He at once noticed the deceased under the fore part of the coach, and with the assistance of the coachman and other passengers, lifted the coach up from him. Ever}' availabl e effort was made to restore the unfortunat man to consciousness, but without effect, as he soon expired. It is conjectured that when the coach was upsetting, he had held on to some part of the seat, and his leg having come in contact with the lever of the brake, he had been swung round his face was towards the back part of theeo:ieh. The iron lain)) holder and the corner of the box scat were found to have been pressing severely on his chest. The decase 1 was at once carried to the Taieri Ferry Hotel, and an I a messenger came on to T .komairiro ivich a telegram to Mr. Mansfield in Dunedin An inquest was held on Thursday m lining, before Mr. J. Dewe, the coroner of the district. Mr. Kcall. Wesleyan minister, of Lawrence, who was a passenger by the coach, gave evidence as to the facts of the case. Several other witnesses were examined but nothing of any consequence beyond what we have before elicited. It is satisfactory, however, to mention that every care is taken to examine the coaches on their arrival in Dunedin, and that, previous to their departure, they are again examined and oiled by the head groom. The verdict was that the deceased had been accidentally killed by the overturning of a coach, and a rider was a filed that no blame could be attached either to the driver or to the proprietors of the coach. The sudden and lamentable death of Mr. Eyrie, so soon afr.er his marriage, has cast a gloom on Ealcutha, where he was well known and much respected.