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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 115, 17 May 1877, Page 4

A terrible dray accident at Goulburn (N.S.W) is reported to the Southern Argus:—" An inquest was held at Goulburn on Monday, April 6, on the body of Frances Willis, whe died from injuries received while riding on a dray. The particulars of the frightful occur* rence were given by a witness Daroel William Johnston, who stated that on Saturday evening about 8 o'clock, from something told bim by a man servant, be went with him along the Sydney Road, and about 60 yards beyond bis house be found a dray on the road with a woman fast in the wheel. She was hanging with both legs between the guard-iron and the wheel. She had her senses and said ' Good gentlemen, help me.' They tried to get the wheel off, but could not, nor could they release the deceased. It was very dark, and witness had to send home for a lamp and an axe. Ultimately they had to break the linchpin and break the nave of the wheel with the axe. They then took the wheel off and placed deceased in the dray, until they got Mr Jobsou's spring cart, io wbich deceased was sent to tbo Goulburn Hospital. Her leg was broken, aod from the hip down greatly bruised with tbe wheel. She made no statement. From the state Bhe was in from her injuries witness could not well say whether she was under the influence of liquor, though he should say she had had sometbin' to drink. Next morning he followed the tracks of the dray back, and about three-quarters ol a mile from his place nearer Goulburn found drops of blood on the road metal. Found also five or six pieces of bone, from half an inch to two inches long (bones produced); nearer to witness's house found a purse and some money; alto suw that for about 60 yards tbe wheel had been locked, and the dray gone on mthent tLe wheel revolving; tha wheel must have been locked by deceased's leg and clothes. The injuries were thus described by Dr Davidson: — « Her left leg and the knee joint were completely smashed up, the bones protruding to the extent of 18 inches, aud the muscles, vessels, aud nerves exposed, torn and lacerated. She was almost pulselees, and exhausted from tbe Bbock.' "