BUS FALLS 100 FEET

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 571, 25 January 1929, Page 1

BUS FALLS 100 FEET

Fifteen People Injured

SIX SENT TO HOSPITAL

Accident to Concert P.r^

(From Our Own Correspondent)

OPOTIKI, To-day. ONE of the worst motor accidents that has happened in the Opotiki district occurred at an early hour this morning, about 15 miles from Opotiki, when a big charabanc belonging to the Hawke’s Bay Motor Company, with a driver and 14 members of the Frivolity Minstrel Travelling Company went over the bank of the notorious Meremere Hill, on the Opotiki-Motu Road. Everyone was more or less injured.

The names of the passengers admitted to hospital are: Ralph Hankins, driver, married, Hastings Street Napier, serious ijeck injuries. Reginald Abbott. Napier, married, severe chest injuries. Jack O’Donohue, head injuries. Ronald McKenzie, shock and abrasions. George Streggali, head injuries. William Wilkie, head injuries. Minor injuries and shock were received by the remaining passengers, George Bull, Thomas Cross, Archie Young, Roy Girling, Douglas Hayes, Robert Wright, George Plested, Allan Clarke and L. Willis. The minstrel company gave a performance at Opotiki last night, leaving for Gisborne early this morning. After proceeding about 14 miles the charabanc commenced a long five-mile climb on the Meremere Hill. After proceeding about a mile the -wheels apparently locked and the charabanc skidded along the edge of the road, -where it capsized and fell over, finally co.ming to rest on the rocky bottom of a gully 100 feet below.

It was a miracle that nobody was killed, as the bank is almost precipitous. , , . As the charabanc somersaulted down to the bottom the passengers were flung out in all directions, several being crushed by the charabanc, which landed on its wheels at the bottom of the gully. After great difficulty the badly injured were brought up to the road. Dr. Candy arrived from Opotiki in quick time and spent a busy hour temporarily attending to the seriously injured. Those with minor injuries assisted the police. The more seriously injured were brought to Opotiki Hospital in cars which went to the scene of the accident. Other members who were suffering from cuts, bruises and shock were taken on to Gisborne. The charabanc was extensively damaged, the hood being completely torn off. A member of the company told a Sun reporter that he was thrown through the hood as the charabanc went over. He managed to grab a small tree about 60 feet down, where he clung desperately as the charabanc crashed down to the bottom. The badly injured members arrived in hospital some three hours after the ; accident.