SERIOUS COACH ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4354, 4 March 1875, Page 2

SERIOUS COACH ACCIDENT.

■ (Prom the Hruce Herald, Eeb. 23.) As Mrs. Steadman’s afternoon coach was nearing Saddle Hill - Junction on Tuesday last, in turning the same comer of the road, just opposite the pound, a threshing machine' was overtaken. Mr. Edward Hill, who has driven the road for Mrs. Steadman for two years past without the slightest previous accident, managed to pass the engine in safety, but in passing the . machine the near shafter shied suddenly, and in spite of every effort to pull up and prevent a-mishap, the coach and its living freight were carried over the precipitous embankment; The driver was thrown clear of the coach over, the fence into the adjoining field, hut kept hold of'the reins,'and on recovering his feet found the three horses’-further progress arrested by the fence, in front of which they quietly stood. , 'Mrs. McSwan, of the Lower Taieri Perry, an inside passenger, had an infant in her arms, which was ejected from the coach; for, some distance, - where -it was picked'up quite unhurt, and unconcerned as if at home in its . cradle ; the mother was severely bruised, ; and has since, been confined to-bed, but .is now rapidly recovering the effects of the accident. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, of.Otalda, were,- also passengers. Mrs. Robertson has since: been i confined tobed from the effects of the severe bruises sustained. Mr. Robertson received a leg wound, -which has since, caused him to limp slightly. Mr. Leitch, teacher,;of Otakia,.seems to have made the luckiest ..escape, of - all. The coach now lies at-the yards of Messrs. Watson and. Gow, Dunfedin, i thej upper portion , being a thorough .-wreck, and ■ amply proving the thoroughness of the - somersault made. No : blame whatever is attributable to Mr. Hill, who did, all that could be done.to prevent the accident, and who did not get flurried or lose his presence, of-mind at the critical moment. We- are - strongly; of; opinion that this was a case in which an inquest ought to have been held, when a caution would no doubt have been administered to the driver of the threshing machine, if nothing stronger," which would tend to prevent a. repetition of accidents from such a cause. . As - the. coach approached, the driver was at some .distance from the machine, and made a rush tb his horses’ heads, but too late to reach them in time to prevent the unfortunate accident.!'!' V ■ ! ''•> '