TROTTERS CRASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 114, 4 August 1927, Page 7

TROTTERS CRASH

ONLY THREE FINISH NO SERIOUS INJURIES ACCIDENTALLY CAUSED The wreckage of 10 trotting outfits was strewn over the Epping racecourse recently, when a smash occurred during the running of the first race, the first division of the Approved Handicap. Of 13 starters, only three finished the race. After Hours, who was leading, suddenly fell in the straight, on the second time round. All the following horses, with the exception of Adoration, crashed on top of him. or were pulled up. The horses, with their drivers, were mixed up in a seething mass. The crowd broke from the terraces and raced to

the aid of the injured. Adoration got out of the accident without trouble, and continued in the race. Regina Cole and Don Startle got clear fairly easily, and chased the leader. The crowd yelled out that the horses and wreckage should be dragged aside, to let the three horses left in get past on the third time round. CUTS AND ABRASIONS The injured drivers were quickly rushed to the ambulance room, where it was found that no one was seriously hurt. W. McPherson, the driver of After Hours, the first horse to fall, was cut on the head, while E. L. McDonald, who drove Calm l\lac, sustained abrasions. G. Brown, driver of Bow Pick, was cut over the eye. McDonald recovered sufficiently to drive Bonnie H'uon to victory two races later. Other big smashes have occurred at Epping, but this was easily the worst. On one occasion six racers fell in the straight, and none of the drivers was hurt. “ACCIDENTALLY CAUSED” The stewards held' an inquiry into the smash, and fovuad that it was accidentally caused by After Hours crossing his legs and falling, and the rest of the field being too close to avoid a collision. The veterinary surgeon reported that After Hours was cut on the tongue and lip, and had wounds on the legs.