NARROW ESCAPE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1920, Page 5

NARROW ESCAPE.

FRENCH PRESIDENT HURT. • , m FROM A TRAIN. By t*kpHb-nti* Assn.—Copyright Paris, May 24. While proceeding to Montbrison to unfetl a Memorial to M. Raymond, senator and aviator, ]&. Deschanel, the President, while walking in the corridor of the train, fell through'an open door and was not missed until the train had travelled forty miles. A fettler picked up M. Deachanel, who was unconscious. When lie recovered consciousness he said: "I am the President," but failed to convince the workman, who thought him insane, and conveyed Mm to Montargia. Alt influenza attack preceded M. Deschanet's accident, but he insisted on travelling to fulfil his public engagement. 5» was badly bruised, otherwise he i:< Hot seriously injured.—Reuter Service. BWUKIBS NOT SERIOUS. >ALL ON PATCH. Received May 25, 5.5 p.m. Paris, May 24. ii. Deschanel has returned to the Elyaefc, He is not seriously hurt, though he had a very harrow escape. There were a number of curious incident* in connection with the accident. M. Deschanel went to his sleeping car, telling his valet not to call him until morning. Feeling the carriage stuffy, be attempted to open the window, but fell ' out. 'Fortunately the train was slacken- - ing qjteed going round st curve. ■ Tie President fell on a sandy patch, -' and mu temporarily stunned. When he ' metered he walked bare-footed, and ' clad in pyjamas, with his face bleeding, , until lie met a platelayer, who received 1 tte'President's story with the frankest ; aeepticiam. This teemed justified when the stationmaster's telegram. sent to the Pres:- ~ dent's train, enquiring whether any accident had taken place, was answered by an emphatic "No." , None' thought it worth while to look into the sleeping compartment, but five minutes later the valet found it empty, , when consternation reigned. Meanwhile the railway officials were worrying the Sub-Prefect at Montargis regarding an unknown individual, , scantily dad,*and suffering from hallucinations that he was the President of the . Republic. The Sub-Prefect accordingly motored to -the platelayer's cottage, where lie found the injured man was really the head of the French Republic. . The president was quickly carried to Of Prefecture at Montargis, where hi* wounds were dressed, and an anti-tetanus. injection made. It is expected M. Deschanel will completely recover in ten days.—Aiu.-N.Z. Cable Assn.