BIG TRAM SMASH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 5

BIG TRAM SMASH

THIRTY PEOPLE INJURED CHRISTCHURCH, May 15. . Late this afternoon there occurred the biggest accident which has yet taken, place on tho Christchurch tram■ways, a large number of people -being more or less seriously injured. A car, with two double-deck trailers attached, left Sumner for the city at 4.10 p.m. All the cars were fully loaded, 'out not overcrowded. AH went weii till reaching ths loop in front- of tho Heathcote Arms Hotel, about halfway to town, -when the rear trailer leit the lines, and, after a couple of lurches, tell over on its left side. The passengers on the top were violently flung on to tho road, and those inside were inextricably mixed up and showered with broken glass. It was at onto seen that between twenty and thirty people were, more or less injured out of the fifty contained in th car. Ambulances and doctors were summoned from town, and those unablo to move were carried into the hotel. All who could hobble along were taken by electric car direct to the hospital, where they were at once attended .to. Some ■ injtired, however, preferred to go to their own homes, and drivers of passing cars were very good in assisting with the transport of such cases. The ambulances removed the more seriously injured—namely, nine adults and five children —to tho hospital. No cause is assigned for the trailer leaving the rails, but an inquiry is to be held. LIST OF INJURED. Following is a list of the injured* at present in tho Ohristchuroh Hospital: Eric P. Genu, aged 22, serious injuries to left hand and right foot. Samuel Brunton, aged 47, fractured skull. ■ - ■ ♦ .William Flavell, aged 31, injury to leg. John A. Chapman, aged 41, broken collarbone. James Borfchwick, aged 59, broken left arm. Emile Diehl, aged 62, broken ankle. Mrs JUragnton, facial injuries. Mrs Matthews, facial injuries Mrs Reed (.or Asbburton/, lacerated face. An infant named Meedham, aged 2 years, severe injury to head. lan McAllum, 8 years, shock and abrasions. ~ Donald McCallum, 4 years, two fingers amputated. Daphne Chapman, aged 11, lacerated band. A girl named Matthews, aged 6 years, deep wound in chin and knee. Besides these, about fifteen other people were more or less injured, some Seing'r treated in the out-patients' department at'4he.'<ho6pital and some going to their own homes. As far as San be ascertained, the names are as ■follow: Mrs Green, aged 50. injury to back and leg; Mrs Heap and Mesdames Jackson, and J. Whisker (Wellington), and W. Guy, abrasions of tho knee; L. AVinterbourne, abrasion of the knee; Mrs Adamson, injuries to head and cut and bruises; Mrs W. J. Hughes, injuries* rtq,,back andyhruises; Mrs John '-■Br. ©jttver, 'cntion forehead and bruises and shock; Mrs T. W Olliver, shock.