RUNAWAY CAR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 657, 9 October 1933, Page 5

RUNAWAY CAR

(Press. Assn.—

CRASHES IN CROWD shocking accident at gates of buckingham palace iSEVERAL KILLED, MANY HURT

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

(Rec. 5.0 p.m.) London, October 7. , A car descending Constitution Hill swerved opposite Buckingham Palace during the changing of the guard, smashed a lamp-post and crashed into the crowd which was watching the ceremony. One man was killed instant ly and later reports show that 27 were injured of whom two later died while sever'al others are in a critical condition. A sentry had a narrow esicape when he was struck by a falling lamp-post but was missed by a hurtling portion o'f the iron work. The band which was playing in .the guard, instantly ceased. His Majesty sent an equerry from the palace to the hospital to inquird concerning the injured. Royal Air Force craftsmen, sightseeing in London, were the chief sufferers in the crasb. Two have died including one whose feet Were so badly injured that the doctor amputated them on the pavement with a pair of scissors. Two others were injured very seriously and another doctor administered morphia to the victims. Eye-witnesses are of the opinion that the car swerved to avoid a youth ' who was stepping off the footpath and that during the swerve, the steering gear failed.

The scene in the street after the accident resembled a dressing station, policemen taking off their tunics and rolling them into pillows for the injured. The ceremony of changing the guard was not stopped and the band resumed after a few minutes. A sentry was knocked down by the falling lamp-post but immediately -seized his rifle and stood to attention. A later report states that a third R.A.F. eraftsman has died while three others among the injured are in a critical condition. The total number of persons injured is 27 but their injuries are mainly slight.