SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE CHRISTCHURCH SWITCHBACK.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2722, 9 October 1894, Page 4

SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE CHRISTCHURCH SWITCHBACK.

Considerable excitement was caused in Christchurch on Saturday evening when it became known that an accident, by which several persons were seriously injured, had occurred at the Switchback Railway. A member of the staff of the Press had ian interview with Mr B. F. Dombraiu, the. manager of the Switchback, and he stated as follows: —On Saturday about 9.15 p.m. there was a large attendance. One car was at the Madras street end, and the other at the Madras street end. The former should have returned along the separate line on the northern side, but just as the car reached the switch points it seemed in some unaccountable manner toi jump the points. This threw the caron to the other line, down which the oar from the Manchester street end was travelling. The'points referred to are spring automatic, and are used to place the car on to the . return line. The flange of the wheel coming against the points opens them, and so soon as the car is past the point closes automatically. . The men in charge of the Madras street end noticed on Saturday evening at the time of the accident that when the car came to the point it jumped clear over it, thus bringing it on to the wrong line. They immediately tried to hold the car, but the momentum was too great, and after breaking through both catches it came into collision with the oar from the other end. The collision occurred at the bottom, of the big dip at the Madras street end, the fronts of each oar being smashed in. At this time both cars were full, containing about twelve- passengerrs fHmh Mr Dombrain, who has been managing the railway, arrived at the scene of the accident just as the cars met, ■ and immediately telephoned for ambulance Stretchers,cabs,and a doctor. Dr Murdoch arrived within five minutes, but meanwhile some members of the ambulance corps, who were amongst the spectators, rendered first - aid until the arrival of the stretchers. It was then found that there were four persons seriously injured, necessitating their removal to the hospital. This was most expeditiously accomplished in the case of the three young men. The lady, who was the fourth one injured, was taken home in a cab, but next morning was taken to the hospital.

The following are the names of those Injured and the extent of the injuries xocoivod * ~ — Johanna (Tottio) Fraier, aged twenty, daughter of Mr John Fraser, of Bnsor’s roaa Opawa, received a compound comminuted fracture of the left leg and a comminuted fracture of the right leg. Ernest Whittington, aged eighteen, reaiding in Linwood, had his left leg broken. James Pearson, aged eighteen, a resident of Richmond, received injuries to his head and was unconscious for two hours. His right leg was also fractured. Morris Williams, aged fifteen, son of Mr C.Hood Williams, Secretary to the Lyttelton Harbor Board, had his left leg broken In two places, and received a severe blow over one of his eyes. Miss Walls, Milton street, Sydenham, supposed to have been hurt, but the extent of her injuries are not known Miss Wilkinson, Ferry road, received concussion of the brain. She was taken home, and is being attended by Dr Hunt. She was on the car with a young man ■aid to be named Alexander, and beside them was a younger son of Dr Hunt. Seeing their imminent danger, they jumped off, and pulled the young woman with them. They escaped injury with the exception of a few bruises. Richard Chamberlain, _ aged about twenty-five, received an injury to one of his shoulders, . , . . . , , A girl who was with Chamberlain had had one of her legs bruised, but was not seriously hurt. Alfred E. Milne, aged seventeen, received bruises on bis head and right leg. lie was stunned for a short time.

A young man named D. Whitmore was badly bruised and said to have been more seriously injured.