A THRILLING A ACCIDENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 106, 4 May 1878, Page 6

A THRILLING A ACCIDENT.

The Murrurundi Times gives an account of a thrilling accident which happened recently near Scone. That paper says : — Mr. llobert Hall, of this town, started on horseback for Dry Creek, near Scone, intending to attend an auction sale to be held in that locality; Taking a short cut over the ranges, he reached the summit of the spur known as the Eocky Downfall, near the head of Dry Creek. Here he missed the only track leading from that almost inaccessible height; but choosing a course along the precipitous face of the rock, sought to effect a descent. This was being accomplished with much difficulty, when an unfortunate slip gave the mare a sudden start, and becoming restive, she missed her footing, and then bounded over the terrible precipice at her side. Mr. Hall kept his seat, and, fortunately, his presence ot mind. In her fall 4 the mare passed between the limbs of a large tree standing about 70ft down the rocks. To one" of the outstretching limbs of this her rider clung as the only hope of life, and for a moment broke his fearful fall, leaving the horse to complete the fatal leap. Unable to retain his hold of the tree, Mr. Hall fell upon the shelving rock at its base, just saved from a terrible death, but nearly stunned. Here he lay for about a quarter of an hour before he was able to pursue his course, when he recovered himself sufficiently to descend the hill. The unfortunate mare he found at the foot of the huge wall of rock, a mangled wreck of her former self, her skull broken, and the brains scattered along the face of the rock down which she had passed. Several ledges of rock had only served to render the fall of the poor brute more distressing, as she was hurled from one to the.other with increasing momentum, stopping finally at a distance of nearly half-a-mile below the spot where the fall commenced. Life was not quite extinct, but in a few minutes death precluded further suffering. The saddle was completely smashed, the bridle was broken, and everything about the hapless mare bore marks of the utmost violence. Mr. Hall made his way on foot to his destination at Dry Creek, where astonishment was divided between the hazard of his venture and his marvellous deliverance. Such is the account we have gathered of an event than which perhaps the history of bush experience, certainly that of the fortunate rider concerned, a thorough bushman, presents no more thrilling incident or miraculous escape.