SERIOUS COACH ACCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2532, 22 July 1893, Page 1

SERIOUS COACH ACCIDENT.

A serious accident occurred on Tuesday to the mail coach running between Lyell and Reefton. The coach was driven by Jones with the following passengers : Mr and Mrs Mitchell, Messrs Burley and two sons, Glenny, Cummins, and Dixon, and left Lyell on Tuesday afternoon. On reaching Red Jacket, a portion of the bank gave away, letting down the hind wheel, and the coach was precipitated over the bank, a distance of 150 feet, on to the edge of the Buller River. When the accident occurred the king bolt came out, and the driver escaped by being pulled over the front of the coach by the team. Jones then hastened to the nearest station for assistance, and in consequence of no medical man being available a doctor was sent from Westport. Mr Mitchell was knocked about on the head and face, was hardly recognisable, and partly insensible; Mrs Mitchell’s back was injured very seriously, and she completely lost the use of her legs ; one leg was broken and her head was injured; Mr Glenny had a leg broken and was much knocked about; Mr Dixon had a leg and arm broken and was a good deal knocked about; Mr Cummins had a bruised arm, it is sprained or broken, and a bad wound about the head. The Postal Department wired for all assistance to be tendered to the sufferers. The mails were recovered on Wednesday morning. The coach is now at the bottom of the cliff on the river beach, and is but little damaged. Dr Gaze reports hopefully on the case of Mrs Mitchell, who was most injured. The escape of the passengers from instant death is regarded as wonderful.