SENSATIONAL RUNAWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 847, 23 March 1903, Page 2

SENSATIONAL RUNAWAY.

Much excitement was caused in town shortly after three on Saturday afternoon , Mrs Frank Sharp was driving from her home to town, being accompanied by her sister (Miss U’Rren) and Duleia Johnstone, the second daughter of Mr G. J. A. Johnstone, Clerk of the Court. The pony was ordinarily a very quiet animal, but on reaching the intersection of Peel street with Gladstono road, a bolt fastening one of the snafts of the buggy dropped out, causing the shafts to come about the legs of the pony, which started off smartly, and made a sudden swerve to one side. Mrs Sharp held the reins iirmly and managed to steer the frightened pony clegr of an approaching dray, but the animal then swerved in the (opposite direction, and a violent impact with a verandah post of Mr Whitby’s shop resulted. The shaft was smashed, and the pony madly galloped on with out the buggy. The occupants were ejected by the force of the impact, They were thrown into the watertable, Duleia Johnstone falling first, and getting some of the weight of the other ladies. Mrs Sharp struck the verandah post as she fell. Mr Younghusband ran out from Mr Whitby's shop, and Messrs Morgan, Wildish, and others were almost immediately on the scene. A gentleman picked up Duleia Johnstone, who apparently was much hurt, and then handed her over to Mr G. Wildish ; the three ladies were conveyed to Mr W. Morgan’s shop, and a telephone message was’ sent i'or Dr Cole, who promptly arrived. In the meantime, the value of a knowledge of iirst aid was amply proved.. Mr Wildish happened to be possessed of that knowledge, and at once realising that the suffering girl’s leg was fractured, he held the bones in such a position as to prevent the probability of a compound fracture. This was a very tedious task, as it necessitated remaining in the one position for a long periodj Dr Cole administered chloroform to the patient, who was in great pain, and with as little delay as possible, had the fracture attended to; the break was above the knee, Numerous volunteers being available, Miss Johnstone was conveyed to her parents’ residence on the Whataupoko in a stretcher. The other ladies received a severe shaking, and Miss U’Ren also bad her knee injured. They were conveyed to their respective homes, where they were attended by Dr Williams., They are both recovering from the effects of the accident. Last night Miss Johnstone was progressing well, and though the injury is serious its effect will be mitigated by the speed with which help was available. The parents arc very grateful to Mr Wildish and all the others who gave such willing help. Duleia is ten years of age, age, and had been staying for a few days with Mrs Sharp After breaking clear of the buggy, (he affrighted pony, with harness and shafts,- galloped down the road, people scattering in all directions. It made a turn at Miller’s corner ‘ it hesitated slightly at the Lowe street show window, and then, like a mad thing, it dashed through the massive • plate glass window, and with head and hoofs smashed into the handsome mirrors’, which were quickly reduced to Fragments. Mr Stacey Langford was standing at the corner when the frenzied pony came galloping down, and as it jumped through the window Mr Langford smartly followed and captured it. ...The good fortune that followed him to the veldt of South Africa was with him still. The heavy plate glass came crashing down —narrowly missing, his head. One heavy piece, however, struck him. It cut through his coat, trousers, and under-pants, and made an ugly gash half-ari-inch deep in his thigh. He took a cab to Dr. Williams’ surgery and had the wound dressed and i five stiehes put in. He was able to take a walk down in the evening. His action was a remarkably plucky one. The pony, ordinarily very quiet, •seemed maddened by the fright it got. A strong brass snip to the heavy inner door of the show window had heen sinned off by the concussion, and tlie floor byrst through. _ Mr TatjLersall was serving in flic shop ' - time, and was much astonishat the ' tjie din and the ed when he nc,~. crashing of glass. ■ WBS Strange to say, little injury done to the horse, harness, or vehicle A remarkable feature was that little or no damage was done to the goods in the window. A bicycle was standing close to where the pony had been kicking about, and was not injured beyond a slight twist. The plate-glass window was covered to the extent of about £3O in the Ocean Accident Insurance Company