RUNAWAY CHAR-A-BANC.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4653, 25 January 1924, Page 2

RUNAWAY CHAR-A-BANC.

HURDLES THIRTY-FIVE FEET. A DRIVER UNINJURED. * z Speeding down Milton Road at 50 ...y ( miles an hour, a char-a-banc ownedby the Albert Stables, Hastings, and driven by John Wallace, jumped a : footpath, -a 6in stone wall, and 15R . of ground* in Clive Square, Napier, recently (reports an exchange). Wallace was not injured, thanks to his presence of mind in keeping control of the car when the brakes gave way at the top of Mil ton Road. When the brakes failed the car shot forward and gathered speed with every yard down the road. Keeping control of the wheel, Wallace safely negotiated several corners and avoided colliding with several cars that going up .the hill. Nearing the bottom the car, travelling at about 50 miles an threatened to capsize, but WallacaVsttll hung on. As it was impossible to tu n the right angle corner into Tennyson Street he made for the opening into the northern portion Ciive Square, but missed it. Striking the kerbing with a terrific impact, the car hurdled the footpath, wall, and a big heap pfsoil and stone, and landed square on the ground. This caused the front wheels and axle to buckle up, but owing to the pace at which it was travelling the car con- t tinned "and finished up on a heap ot boulders on the other side of the square After hitting the kerbing the char-a-banc hurdled at least 35 feet into the square. Wallace had a marvellous escape from serious injury, if not death, but he owes his escape to his courage and presence.of mind. The car was badly smashed its whirlwind race down Milton Road and. its dash into the square.