TRAMWAY ACCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1919, Page 5

TRAMWAY ACCIDENT

A TRAM LEAVES THE RAILS* 1 *" AND FALLS.

BETWEEN 20 AND 30 INJURED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. jt Christchurch, Laat Night. afternoon there occurred the biggest accident which has yet taken place on the Christchurch tramways, a large number of people being more or less seriously injured. A car, with two double-deck trailers attached, left Sumner for the City at 4.10 p.m. All the cars were fully loaded, but not overcrowded. All..went well till reaching a loop in front of the Heathcote Arms Hotel, about half-way to town, when the rear trailer left the lines and, after a couple of lurches, fell over on its left side. The passengers on top were violently flung on to the road, and those inside were inextricably mixed up, and' showered with broken glass. It was at once seen that between 20

Ambulances removed the more seriously injured out of the fifty contained in the car. Ambulances and doctors were summoned from town, and those unable to move were carried into the hotel. All who. could hobble along were taken by an electric car direct to the hospital, where they were at once attended to. Some of the injured, however, preferred to go to their own homes, and drivers of passing ears were good in assisting with the transport of such cases. Ambulances removed the more erioußly injured, nine adults and five children, to the hospital. No cause is assigned for the trailer leaving the Tails, but an inquiry is to be held. The following is a list of the injured* at present in Christchurch hospital:— Eric P. Genn, aged 22, serious injuries to left hand and right foot. Samuel Brunton, 47, fractured skull. William Flavell, SI, injury to leg. John A. Chapman, 41, broken collarbone. James Borthwick, 59, broken left arm. Emile Diehl, 62, broken ankle. Mrs. LoUghton, facial injuries. Mrs. Reed (of Ashburton), lacerated face. Infant named Needham, two years, severe injury to head. Lan MaAllum, 8 years, shock and abrasions. <; * Donald McCallum, 4 years, two fingers amputated. Daphne Chapman, 11 years, laceratejd hand. ; Girl named Matthews, 6 years, deep wound in chin and knee. Besides these, about fifteen other people were more or less injured, some being treated in the out-patient department at the hospital and some going to their own homes. As far as can be ascertained, the names are:— Mrs. Green,6o, injury to back and leg. Mrs. Heap, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. J. Whisker • (Wellington), and J. ' Guy, abrasions of knee. L. Winterbourne, abrasion of knee, Mrs. Adamson, injuries to head, cuts, and bruises. Mrs. W. J. Hughes, injuries to back and bruises. Mrs. John R. OUiver, cut in forehead, bruises, and shock. Mrs. L. T. Olliver, shock.