FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1089, 27 March 1880, Page 2

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

Although on several occasions Sandy's Hill has been the scene of an accident, it was not until yesterday that one occurred in the form of serious injury to life and limb. From information we have obtained from several sources, the following may be taken as the actual facts of the case. In returning from the funeral of the late Richard Wood (who was drowned in the Teremakau river on Saturday last) the hearse which was drawn by two horses and driven by George Dyer, had also on the box seat, Mr Draper, the undertaker ; Florence Galland, aged 15 years ; Lucy Galland, aged 13 years ; Maud GaU land, aged 10 years; and Ellen Henne, aged 8 years. When descending the hill from Sandy Stewart's the driver discovered that the break of the hearse was useless and the horses being unable to retard the progress of the vehicle he at once saw the danger in which he was placed. Tho pace at which the hearse was travelling had gradually increased and the driver endeavoxired by pulling the horses in close to the bank on the near side to save the lives of those oh the hearse at the expense of the hdrsed and vehicle. This he partially succeeded in accomplishing, but when the vehicle" struck the bank*, the king bolt jerked out and the horses bolting with the forecarriagej the hearse at once overturned, hurling those on the front seat with great force against the gravel face of the batlki In the meantime Mr Riigg, who was" alao returning from the funeral with a coach-load of passengers, horrified on getting half way down the hill, to find the road literally strewn with wounded persons. Immediate assistance was rendered by those in the coach, in which the sufferers were at once placed, and driven by Mr Rugg rapidly to the Hospital. Dr Acheson, was promptly in attendance on the! injured persons, and found they had sustained serious injuries, which may be 1 described as follows :

Mr E. Draper : Several severe scalp wounds and also a number of contusions on the face and hands.

Florence Galland: Three remarkablysevere scalp wounds, two of wliich are across the forehead, and one across the nose, splitting the under lip in two. Several of her teeth are also knocked out in s£e>U|>j>er jaw and the palate is broken. Liicy-Galland: Three nasty face wounds; also greatly bruised on the body and her left arm dislocated.

Maud^Gafiand':• Face badly bruised ; and torn, and her\lieft arm seriously injured. ■'";;;.

Ellen Henne : Nasty wound aismss the forehead, and her left ear split Her right arm is' also brokeri "above"the elbow and the child isMj&tly shaken. The driver, Gee*#rl)yer, was badly shaken and bruUed, and after he had been temporary taken into Mr Wylde's house and attended to, he was enabled, with assistance, to walk home. From inquiries made to-day we are glad to learn that all the sufferers are progressing favorably, and that Mr Draper is not so seriously injured as s£ first supposed.