A BAD SMASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 5, 28 March 1927, Page 7

A BAD SMASH

MOTOR MISSES ROAD SEVERAL MEN INJURED NURSES DESCEND BY ROPES HAMILTON, To-day. A serious accident befel a Ngaruawahia party at 8 o’clock last night on the Raglan deviation, when they had a marvellous escape from death when the car in which they were driving went over a high bank. All suffered injuries. Those hurt were: Bert Fowlds, Archie Ernest Shields (Auckland), Harold Bernard McLean, David Jackson and John Haggie. All were admitted to Waikato Hospital, Jackson being discharged this morning. Very severe injuries were sustained by Fowlds and Shields, while McLean and Haggie were badly hurt. The accident occurred at a bend just before reaching the surfaceman’s hut about 15 miles from Hamilton. Apparently the Rtigby car, which was being driven by Haggie took too wide a sweep when, negotiating the turn and plunged over the top of an almost perpendicular bank. It fell about 100 feet, crashing through brush and small trees, to end up a complete wreck at the bottom. Pieces of the car were strewn everywhere, and the occupants had a miraculous escape from death. Numerous settlers were quickly on the scene and rendered valuable assistance. The injured men had. to be brought to the top with ropes. They received medical attention from Br. F. Spencer, of* Hamilton, who was on the scene half an hour after the accident. Nurse Howard, of Hamilton, who went out in the ambulance which removed the sufferers t o the Waikato Hospital, was lowered down on ropes to attend to the injured with the doctor. Three other nurses returning from Raglan were at the accident. Complaints were made of the difficulty of obtaining telephonic com-

munication with Hamilton, there being long delay before a ring was put through for assistance. THE MEN’S INJURIES Further inquiries show that McLean received spinal injuries, and’ is in a serious condition. Fowlds is suffering from concussion and a compound fracture of one wrist. Shields had one wrist broken, and is sufferinf from shock. Haggie and Jackson are suffering from abrasions, but are otherwise unhurt.