MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 222, 13 January 1911, Page 5

MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT

J OCCUPANTS SERIOUSLY INJURED. Yesterday afternoon a motor-car, owned by Mr. If. H'onnor, of New Plymouth, came to grief at the bottom of Dig Jim's Hill, Wnitara, with disastrous results to most of the occupants. -Mr. Ifonnor was accompanied by his wife and young son, Cecil, occupying the front seat, while in the back were Mrs. T. W. Fisher (wife of 'Mr. Fisher, the 1 UnderSecretary of Natiw Affairs, and formerly of New Plymouth, who is at present in Wellington), Miss Fisher and' Miss Butler (sister of Mrs. Ifonnor). From particulars to hand wo learn that in Hearing the foot of the hill allegedly something went wrong with the steering gear, and the car skidded, throwing the six occupants violently to the roadway. Passers-by and local residents rendered speedy help, Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Honnor, both unconscious, being removed to the house of Mr. Arthur Johnson, while Mrs. Honnor was taken to the residence of Mr. iMcAlluni, both of which were close at hand. Dr. Ramage was summoned, and he called Dr. Walker from New Plymouth to his assistance. Medical examination showed that Mrs. Fisher had sustained a fracture at the base of the skull, and her condition was one of very great gravity. Mr. Honnor was suffering from (Serious contusions on the head and body, and showed signs of concussion of the brain; about three hours after the accident he became conscious for a short time, and recognised Dr. Walker. Mrs. Honnor was severely shaken, and received bruises on the right shoulder and side, and Miss Butler was somewhat less seriously knocked about. The most fortunate of the party were Miss Fisher and Master Honnor, who miraculously, it would seem, were able to walk away after being tossed out of the car, and suffered only from shock. Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Honnor were removed to a private hospital last evening. AN EYE-WITNESS'S ACCOUNT. Mr. George, of Waitara, who iwas standing with County Foreman Holmes, witnessed the accident., His report ot the accident is as follows: The car wasseen approaching, and just before reaching the deep quarry on the left a loud report was heard like a gunshot, presumably from the bursting of the inner tube of the off back wheel. The car swerved and the .wheel collapsed. The car then skidded obliquely across the road, and turned two complete somersaults, finally resting on the side of the road in its natural position and facing New Plymouth.