TERRIBLE ACCIDENT TO A COACH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1302, 22 May 1878, Page 2

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT TO A COACH.

[By Telegeaph.l [BEB PBESB AGENCY.] Oamabij, May 21. A fearful accident occurred to-day to the coach from Dunedin. It left Palmerston for Moeraki at the usual time, having fifteen passengers aboard, one of whom was a lady. All went well till descending the Horse Ranges, when the traces of one of the horses came loose. Goddard, a careful driver, who has been on the road for nine years, was driving. On the box was a young man named Maitland. He tried to put his foot on the brake to assist Goddard, but his foot slipped and he fell down among the horses' feet. In falling he knocked Goddard's foot off the brake, and before Goddard could get his foot on again the coach got great way on, and one of the horses fell. The others took fright, bolted and dragged the coach and occupants over a steep embankment. In going down this the coach rolled over three times. On being picked up Maitland was found to be fearfully injured, and is not expected to live tiH morning. Nichols, of Dalgety, Nichols and Co., was killed outright. Goddard, the driver, was very seriously injured, and five of the other passengers were injured, but none of them dangerously. There was great excitement in town, and when the special train arrived with the dead and injured the platform was crowded. In connection with the sad affair, it may be mentioned that this was the last day on which the coach runs, as the new line will be opened to-morrow. The above brief particulars are as correct as can be obtained, but the excitement is great, and it is difficult to obtain correct information.