BUS NOSE DIVES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1929, Page 5

BUS NOSE DIVES.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPES

(Ily Telegraph—Press Association)

OPOTIKI. January 25

A motor accident occurred at Meremere Hill, seventeen miles 'from Opotilu, early this morning’. Fifteen members of the Napier Frivolity Minstrels in a big bus left for (lislmrnc. The bus left the road and nose (lived, turned over and landed on its wheels 11-3 feet below. Ralph Hawkins (driver; and Reginald Abbot (both of Napier) were seriously injured. Three others were slightly injured and were admitted to the hospital. They were very lucky to have escaped so lightly. LUCKY ESCAPES. Advice from Opotiki states the (rash mi Meremere Mills was caused by the steering gear of the bus locking while round a bond. The party was remarkably fortunate in escaping as lightly as they did and wonder is expressed that more were not seriously hurt or even'killed. The injuries to Hawkins and Abbot, though severe, are nut regarded as serious. The party, which left Opotiki at 0.30 was to have performed at Gisborne toii and to-morrow.

ifURTIiER PAR!i’ICULARS

GISBORNE, Jan. 25

The Frivolity Minstrels undeterred by the accident will perform at G.sboriu: to-night. Advice to that effect was received from the Sewetary.

Advice from Opotiki states the bus with 14 men passengers left the road 1) miles up Me rein ere liill and fell 1-10 loot into a gully, 30 lent past an easy bend. Apparently the steering gear locked and forced the bus to the edge of the road and toe ear rolled over and dropped off the top, the passengers falling out in all directions. All fell dear before they reached the hottern.

One of the passengers caught hold of a tree after falling sixty feet and held on fill rest tied. It was a miracle some were not killed. n.s the hank was almost perpendicular. A doctor, po'ice and others arrived on the scene. The doctor was engaged for about an hour attending to the injured. The most - seriously injured were placed in cars and sent to Opoti.ci Hospital, the others continuing the journey to Gisborne in other cars. Those in the Hospital are:—Ralph Hankins (driver) chest injury Reginald Abbott, serious neck injury; Jock Ooonolie, bead injuries: William Wilkie. bead injury; Donald MacKcnzie. shock and abrasions; George Stroggall. bead injury. Nine others are slightly injured.