COACH ACCIDENT AT BEAUMONT FERRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3469, 6 April 1874, Page 3

COACH ACCIDENT AT BEAUMONT FERRY.

PASSENGERS SEVERELY INJURED. We are indebted to Mr Ferguson, of the ‘ Tuapeka Times’, for the following.— . Lawrence was thrown into a great state of commotion on Saturday afternoon, on the arrival of a message from Beaumont with news of a serious accident to Cobb’s coach from the Dunstan, on descending the big hill on the west side of the Beaumont. The brace gave way, and the coach, which was carrying thirteen'passengers, including children, was precipitated down the hill and upset, seriously injuring several passengers. The passengers on board were—Mr Anderson, manager of Bellamy Station, with his wife and four children; Mias Ambridge, from Clyde, on ,a visit to her’mother in Dunedin, and isix Chinese. Mrs Anderson occupied the box seat with the driver (William Duff). Cobb’s agent dispatched a coach-and-four to the scene of accident'. Dr Halley went in the coach, and on arriving at the spot found Mrs Anderson’s breast hone and some of her riba broken, and that one of her children (a little boy, four years old) had received a compound fracture of the leg, and had one of his arms broken. One Chinaman received a scalp wound which laid his skull bare. Another received severe bruises on the face and head. The driver received a concussion of the brain, aud remained very stupid for a considerable time, haying lost all recollections of the transaction. About nine o’clock on Saturday night Dr Halley sent a message to Dr Stewart to come to his assistance, as it would be necessary to amputate the boy’s leg. Dr Stewart, accompanied by Inspector Thompson, then drove out to the spot. Mrs Anderson and her boy were taken to the house of Mr George Rogers, where everything was done for them that could be done in the circumstances. At daylight on Sunday morning the poor little fellow was placed under chloroform, and had his left leg amputated, The little sufferer lost very little blood under the operation, which is so far in favor of his speedy recovery. The coach, which was sent on Saturday evening, returned yesterday at noon with the driver and .several of the .passengers. Mrs Anderson and the boy were brought in by Tommy Pope, Dr Halley thinking it would be much better for both of them if they were removed to the hospital. On inquiry at the hospital this morning we were glad to be informed that they were both doing very well. The two Chinamen, who received scalp wounds and were taken to the hospital, appeared to be taking it very easy. Wo regret, however, to learn that another of Mr Anderson’s children, a little girl, has been badly crushed. Dr Stewart visited her at the station this morning, and found that she had received some severe injuries to her kidneys. Great sympathy is expressed for Mr Anderson in the frightful calamity which has overtaken his family; and it is to be hoped that a searching investigation will be made into the real cause of this accident. Ihe following appears to have been the manner in which the accident occurred:— Immediately on commencing the descent of the hill, the horses were going at a walking pace. The driver placed his foot on the brake, which snapped in two, throwing him on to the footboard of the coach, thus giving the horses their heads, and allowing the full weight of the coach to run on the horses, who immediately bolted down the bill at a mad gallop. It may be remarked that the horsCs were without breeching. The driver regained his seat, and endeavored to keep the team straight. One of the wheelers at the same time was kicking, and caused the coach to swerve to one side. On reaching the bottom of the steep hid, on nearly level ground, the kingbolt came opt, separating the fore carriage from the body of the coach. The horses then bolted with the fore carriage, the coach toppling over down hill, turning completely over in a forward direction. The leaders, who were gallopping a good distance ahead, oame m contact with the team of M ‘Gawn’s waggon, the same which went over the bridge at Manuka Creek some time back, dragging the harness off the horses, and cauaiug'the team to take fright, which resulted in the breaking of the shafts aud twisting of the axle of the waggon, and doing other damage'. ‘