COACHING INCIDENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11645, 12 August 1916, Page 5

COACHING INCIDENT.

HORSES DROP 100 FEET. COOL DRIVER SAVES LIFE. Doing the right thing at the right time, with coolness and courage, was exemplified on the journey from Arthur’s Pass to Otira on Saturday last, says the Greymouth Star. After arrival at Otira the passengers in the leading coach acclaimed their appreciation and tribute to l Driver W. Rugg for the able way in which he saved the situation when a fall of rocks came down in front of his leaders. The fall came away suddenly from 40ft to 50ft overhead in a narrow part of the road, with a drop of about 100 ft on the other side. The startled leaders soon got over the side, and would certainly have taken the coach and fifteen passengeis to destruction but for the grit of the driver, who managed quickly to pull his polers to face the hillside, although the three leaders were over the precipice. Two of the latter soon rolled to the bottom, quite a hundred feet. The celerity with ivhich the passengeis, including a lady and several soldiers, jumped off the coach was remarkable; only a few slight bruises resulting therefrom. More remarkable, however, was the recovery of the horses from the bottom, when, with the aid of the other drivers who came up, the damaged harness was replaced, and Otira reached with but little delay. Mr Rugg, who has been driving on the road for many years without a previous mishap, certainly “made good.” The plucky driver was heartily cheered by the passengers.