Serious Accident at Campbelltown.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 151, 22 December 1894, Page 2

Serious Accident at Campbelltown.

A very serious accident occurred here yesterday morning about 12 o'clock. Tho school having been closed on Wednesday, for the holidays, a picnic among tho school children was held in Mr H. Hammond's paddock, Waitohi. The teachers and two or three of the sohool committee had assembled with a large number of children on tho ground, when it was found that an axe was wanted to cut firewood to boil the billies, -whereupon a lad of about 11 years, the sou of Mr C. Hopping, volunteered to go for one. The little fellow, who is ever willing to help, was returning with tho axe on a horse belonging to Mr W. Richmond , aud when within a quarter of a mile from the picnic ground the horse bolted with him. He cluug to it with all his might, and when passing a bridge the horse swerved, causing tho saddle to slip round, and precipitated the poor little fellow on to tho road. Unfortunately ho scorned unable to lot go the axe, and fell with his face upon its edge. Tho wounds inflicted are of a very serious nature as his uose was cut almost off level with his cheeks, aud hanging only by tho skin botweon tho eyes. The upper jaw was also fractured, and the lips terribly bruisod. When picked up it was thought he was dead, aud he remained unconscious for tbreo hours. He was conveyed to his home in a buggy and T)r. Bennett was hastily sent for. Tho Doctor sewed up the wounds and bandaged his head. The littlo chap lies m a precarious condition, aud tho accident caused quite a gloom among tho picnickers as the little boy was one of the best behaved and most socialable attending the school. His good qualifications were such that ho won the favor and esteem of all ho came in contact with. Groat sympathy is felt for tho parents. Mr Hopping himself is ouly just recovering from an accident caused by a bullock charging him and dislocating his ankle. Wo regret to hear that the littlo boy is worse this morning, the wounds preventing him from eating or drinking.