MOTOR CAR FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1970, 4 January 1907, Page 4

MOTOR CAR FATALITY.

.Later particulars concerning the motor fatality near Healosvrllo (\ lctoria) are furnished by a follow passenger of Miss Gidley, who states that the Devil’s Elbow, about six miles from Healesviilc, is a treacherous spot, and just there the brakes of the car refused to act. Mr. Sheehan ,who was driving, did the best thing that could be clone. The ear was fast gathering momentum, so he ran it into a bank Hanking the road. Had he not done so the car would have bolted at a terrific pace down a steep incline to a fern gully below, with results that are unpleasant even to contemplate. As the car was heading for the bank ,someone called out anxiously, “Where are you going?” Miss Gidley, who was on the front seat with Mr, Pemberton, stood up in the excitement to see what Was taking place. As she did so there was a jolt, and the young lady was thrown out. The wheels of the car crushed her dreadfully. Mr. Pemberton, who was sitting alongside, made an attempt to catch her, and in the effort he overbalanced and fell out, the wheels passing over him and breaking both his legs. As soon as the car struck the bank it stopped. Miss Gidley and Mr, Pemberton had received dreadful ipjpvips. J’pr ;i lengthy period the suiiorers had 1 o remain on the roadside. Miss Gidloy’s injuries were fatal. Miss Gidloy and Mr. Pemberton were engaged to be married. Mr. Pemberton is progressing favourably. In addition to having both legs broken, be is suffering from shock. The driver of the car, Mr. Sheehan, states that the car did not acquire much mo-1 montun),

Other passengers in the car state that immediately after the accident the car was stopped by the powerful head brake a few feet from where Mr. Pemberton lay. Miss Gidley was on her feet staggering about and wailing, ‘‘My slioi)lder’s broken, I’m done lor.” Some ladies hastily stripped oft her clothing, and examined her, but beyond a bruise on the chest i.io sign of the injuries could ho found. An hour later she died while being conveyed to Healesviilc. Her body was kept at Healesviilc until next day; then sent to Melbourne. A post-mortem made by Dr. Mollison showed that death was due to fracture of the breastbone and ribs, caused by being crushed between the mudguard of the ear and the side of the bank,