A Terrible Accident.

Manawatu Herald, 31 July 1894, Page 2

A Terrible Accident.

Yesterday morning a most painful and fatal accident happened to a little girl named Madge the second daughter of Mr Hamer of this town, aged seven, which will be learnt by all with extreme regret and for the parents much sympathy will be felt. It appears that Mrs Hamer left for Bulls yesterday morning and Mr Hamer went to his shop, leaving the deceased in the house in charge of the eldest daughter, Gertrude, and just before noon the child went to the range fire to warm herself, and whilst before it a flame shot out and caught her clothes. The eldest child seeing this caught her and took her outside and ran across the road to Mrs Sawyer who then hurried over and did her best to smother the flames. Mr F. Young almost at the same time arrived and lent Mrs Sawyer assistance. Word had been sent up to town to Mr Hamer who was speaking to constable Gillespie at the time and they both ran to the house. The child who was lying outside was then carried and placed on a bed and action taken to relieve her pain. Dr Dermer was sent for and did all he could to further relieve the pain. The injuries received were so extensive that there was not any hope at any time of her possible recovery and the poor child ceased breathing about four o'clock in the afternoon. After being brought into the house the child recovered consciousness and explained to her father how the