A Sensational Street Bolt.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7920, 8 September 1905, Page 2

A Sensational Street Bolt.

Runaway Dashes into a Marching Band. Station Amy Officer and Three Children Injured.

An accident of a sensational nature caused considerable consternation in Devon Street an Thursday afternoon shortly after four o'clock resulting as it 'did in the injury of several persons, while a number of others ha<i almost miraculous escapes.

At the time mentioned the Salva- ' tion Army ißiorama Hand, which ' 1 ! jli been giving an l open air pcrformanco on Marsland Hill, was returning to tho Theatre Royal, followed by tin usual crowd of juveniles and other spectators. Just as tho procession was turning from Devon Street into Egmont Street, a bolting horse attached to a trap in which Mr Charles Clarke, of the White Hart Hotel, and,his four-year-old son were seated, came down the main thoroughfare at headlong speed. Efforts were made to stop the runaway, but without avail, and the shouts of warning from spectators and the driver, who was powerless to check the affrighted animal, were unheard owing to tho band music, and before anything could be done to avert tho accident, tho horse plunged through the rear ranks of the band. The result of the sirdden and to tally unexpected onslaught was alarming, some five or six adults and several children being knocked about like nftiopiiis. Adjutant Dickens, in charge of tho New 'Plymouth corps, who was marching in the centre of the rear rank, was dragged for several yawls, run over, ami apparently severly -hurt.. Bandmaster and, as it appeared. Bandmaster Sampson was hurled along for soveral yards, but escaped with painful bruises and shock, while his comrades picked themselves up little the worse for their fall. The juveniles fared badly, as three small children, named Elizabeth and Myrtle Butterworth and Willie Sturmev, all aged between seven and ten years, were/ found lying insensible from the impact. Steady assistance was forthcoming, and Constable de Loree, with the aid of Major Perry and others, had the sufferers conveyed in cabs for medical attendance. Adjutant Dickens, on examination Vy Drs. Wyllie and(W-alk-er, was found to be suffering from injury to the back ami spine. The case is not believed to be very serious, but his medical attendants will not bo able to pronounce definitely for a day or two. The popular -adjutant, who also sustained minor cuts and bruises, was taken to his -home, where he will be laid up for at least a week or two.

Drs. Fookes am} Leatham attended to the boy Sturmey, who has sustained slight concussion, and painful injSrics to the face and nose. The lad was, after treatment, taken home to his grandmother's residence in Lemon Street.

Tile little girls, who artx stepdaughters of Mr Kennington, were examined by Drs. McCleland ami Leatham respectively. One sustained concussion and minor cuts ami bruises, but her sister's condition was graver, her chest being injured, apparently through the wheel passing over her. The extent of the injury was nffl ascertainable last evening, but it is hoped that 110 bones are broken and that the case is not serious. The little ones wore taken to their home in Devon Street.

On inquiry at a late hour last night, wo learned that all the patients were doing well. The bolting horse, after dashing through tho procession in tho manner stated, continued Iris career up Devon Street,, but was finally hrougiit to standstill at the White Hart Hotel. The auimal, it appears, took fright at Mr W. daily's motor car at Fit'/.roy.