Shocking Tramway Accident.

Thames Star, Volume xv, Issue 4744, 21 March 1884, Page 2

Shocking Tramway Accident.

Mb OLIVEB WAKEFIELD KILLED.

(Peb Pbess Association.)

Dunedin, Yesterday.

Mr Oliver Wakefield, Under-Secretary for Goldfields, who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne pertheWaihora, was struck by a steam tiram motor to-day in Princes str )t. The front wheels ran : over him, but the engine was stopped before the back wheels could touch him. He was taken to the Hospital in an unconscious state, and there it was found that both thigh bones were severed, and that he had sustained a severe scalp wound. He recovered consciousness at the hospital, and messages were sent to his friends. Four doc'ors were in attendance, and amputated both legs, but he died at 6 p.m. It was not for a moment believed that his life could be saved by the operation, but it was the only chance. He was sensible after the operation, and ; spoke to his acquaintances present, but he only lived about half an hour. Two doctors remain 1 with him till he died. He was going on a visit .to Melbourne on leave. It is not certain whether the tram engine knocked him down, or whether he got confused and fell. Some | persons on the pavement who saw the occurrence believe that he lost his nerve j in front of the engine, and fell down i before it struck him. The news of the accident has caused a great shock in the colony. TMsday. Fuithor Particulars. I A few minuses before thr°e o'clock yesterday the steam motor, with a car | attached, proceeding at the ordinary rate along Princes street, between the | Criterion Hotel arid the Octagon, when it suddenly tame to a standstill exactly opposite the Morning Herald office. Mr A. C. .Kimball, who was standing on the buck platform, jumped off to ascertain the cause, and beheld the body of a man lying at the back of the front wheel of the engine. The driver (Peter Jack) and some persons who bad observed the accident extricated the body. On being raised it was found to be Mr Wakefield, who told Mr Kimball who he was ; asked for Mr Liroach. and said that papers on him would give all the necessary information. Messrs Driver and Larnach at once telegraphed to Judge Ward, and also communicated with E. Wakefield at Timaru. Drs Maun sell and Scott amputated both legs, but irom the first it was seen tha-t it was a hopeless case. A few minutes before his death he once more regained consciousness, and recognised Messrs Larnach, Hlliott, and other friends who were present. He addressed a few words to them, and then passed away in peate. An onlooker named David B. Lister, who was present when the accident occurred, stated that the unfortunate gentleman was crossing from the Morning Heralds office towards the establishment of Herbert Haynes and Co., when the affair happened. When in the centre of the road he observed an express and steam motor close upon him ; the express was in front of the tram, and the engine driver whistled in order to apprko the expressman of the danger; the latter twisted his horse aside, and Mr Wakefield, in trying to escape the express ran between the rails and dropped down, as if overtaken by nervous excitement, in front of the engine. The driver, observing him, shut ofr' steam as quickly as possible, but the front wheel passed across theS \ictim's tbighs before the en> ginecametoastop. Mr Lister further states that the driver acted with commendable promptitude. He also states that when Mr Wakefield was extricated he opened Is eyts and exclaimed in a feeble voice, "Oh, why didn't you stop?" At the request of vlie member for Selwyn, the inquest has been t djourned till tomorrow.