FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT TO A BOY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 98, 27 April 1877, Page 4

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT TO A BOY.

r^An accident of a shocking naturo befel a lad near Gooma, New South Wales, on 29th February. Early in the morning William, tba eldest son of Mr Henry Thornton, Builder, started with a wagonette, in which were two of his brothers, from the homestead, a selection at Dairyman's Plains, intending to leave hia brothers at Cooms public school, about 4 miles away. When descending the bill on the Cooma side, it was discovered that the boit or pin securing tbe shafts of tbe wagonette had dropped out. The boy William, who is about 16 years of age, drove cautiously, but in consequence of the shafts swaying about, and part of the timber knocking againt the horse's legs, the anmal grew restive, and at length, becoming unmanageable, bolted. As the borse was galloping along, kicking and struggling to free himself from the vehicle, Willie Thornton, ibe driver,' was pitched out, falling on his ci ie. His arm and shoulder were bruised. It is presumed that the younger boy, Charley, attempted to jump out, or let himself down the side of the vehicle as it was rapidly borne along. He slipped, however. Instantaneously ono of his legs was caught end jammed in the narrow space between the spokes of tho wheel, near the box. Pie lay, suspended, hia head downwards. As the wheel rapidly revolved, tbe boy's leg was twisted with it, his body remaining stationary. For fully twenty yards, perhaps more, did the wheel revolve with the little boy affixed ihertto. Where the little boy had been dragged across the brambles and over the greeu turf, the tracks were discernible. The leg was fractured in several places, the flesh torn, and the sinews broken, Ultimately, the right leg was wrenched off "about midway b3tweeo the knoa aud aukis, but rather closer to the knee, the muscles having been drawn from above the knee and severed, and tha boaes broken in two. The maimed boy was thrown to the earth. The third sliil remained in his seat. A few yards further the wagou» ette waa brought in violent contact wiih a stout sapling, which it broke off short, bo great being the force of the collision, and the shafts were freed from ,tho wagonette, and carried off by tbe runaway horse. Tbe boy remaining in the vehicle fortunately escaped without a scratch. Under the buggy wheal, yards away from where the poor boy lay, the severed portion of his right leg in the boot was found. Though tha boy must have experienced intense agony, his spirit was indomitable ; there fr&s not a murmur from

him. Then began the fearful journey homewards. Being raised he stood on his uninjured leg, and he got on his brother William's baok, the other brother carrying the boot containing the foot and portion of the leg. Taking him on their backs in turn, the raultilated lad standing on one leg whilst one brother relieved the other, they conveyed him three quarters of a mile to Mrs Oches's place. Word was sent to their mother wbo could not believe what ahe had heard. Mrs Thornton ran to the place immediately, aod she cut tbe boot and took out the foot attached to the mangled leg. A messenger was promptly despatched for medical aid, and Dr Clifford arrived about an hour after he waa called on. He was accompanied by D.* Donovan, who had also been summoned to attend. The little fellowdid not bleed much, and it was said, appeared to feel but little pain. He was qnite chatty, and readily repeated his account of the acoident that had visited him with suoh great injury. To save the boy'a life it was nesessary to amputate the leg above the knee.