MOTOR ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1922, Page 4

MOTOR ACCIDENT.

CAR FALLS OVER BANK. FOOTBALLERS’ NARROW ESCAPE. Several of the Tukapa senior footbailers had a very exciting experience on Saturday evening whilst returning by motor-car from Kaponga, where they had defeated the local team. The car capsized over a bank, falling a distance of about four feet, and turning over on its passengers, but fortunately the majority of them escaped practically uninjured, only one—C. Kingston, the Tukapa and New Zealand full-back—sus-taining injuries that necessitated his removal to the hospital. It appears that the car, a sevenseater Hudson, owned by Snelling and Andrews, and driven by Geo. Dewdney, one of the most capable and careful drivers in Taranaki, left Kaponga at about two minutes to seven on its return to New Plymouth, having on board the following passengers, all members of the Tukapa team: N. Davis, R. McLean, who were in the front seat with the driver, R. Oliver, G. Hart, C. Kingston, K. Stohr, G. Ennis and B. Linn, occupying the back seats. All went well until about 7.15 p.m., when, in negotiating a bend near Mahoe, the car went over a bank, about four , feet irt height, and turned completely over on the occupants. Fortunately its .-downward progress was stopped by a log, which assisted in holding the car up to a certain extent and enabled the passengers in the back seat to escape. K. Stohr was the first to extricate himself, practically uninjured, and he assisted G. Hart and B. Linn from under the car, and this trio endeavored to raise the car from the others. Those in the front seat were got out next and assisted to raise the car from the men in the baxik seat, who suffered the most. A doctor was summoned from Stratford, and Dr. Gordon at once came out, finding that C. Kingston was injured. The men speak highly of the assistance rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Franklyn. who looked after them and gave them every care till the arrival of a car from New Plymouth, when the men were brought home, arriving after midnight. Kingston was taken to the hospital and attended to by Dr. Walker. He is said to be suffering from injuries to his "back. The others escaped with slight cuts and bruises and were taken to their homes. The car was brought into town yesterday. It suffered considerable damage to the hood and top gear, the steering wheel also being smashed, but otherwise it was little damaged. On inquiry last night Kingston was reported to be progressing satisfactorily, though the extent of his injuries will be known better to-day, as he is to be put under the X-rays.