FATAL ACCIDENT AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 299, 23 October 1873, Page 6

FATAL ACCIDENT AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

A very sudden accident occurred at Fairfax, at 3 o'clock on a ternoon of the 13th, to a man named James Brayley. Brayley has been for, six weeks past in the employ of Michael Casserley, working his horses, and during yesterday forenoon be was in Milton getting one of them shod. Brayley proceeded to Messrs Hislop and Bennett's at Fairfax, where he had left his dray. There he yoked his horses and proceeded with a load of mauure towards his employer's residence. Upon taking the hill leading up to the cemetery gate, the load proving too much for the horses, he was obliged to throw off the half of it. Me then ascended the hill and got safely past the cemetery gate. A funeral had reached the cemetery » tew minutes previously, and some of the attendants observed the horses driven by Brayley apparently getting unmanageable and ran to his assistance. They found him lyiDg insensible between two flax bushes, the horses having turned and gone with the dray to the opposite side of the road line, and where they were secured. Brayley's face was bathed, and other measures used to restore consciousness, but without effect. In the meantime, a horseman rode for Dr Ferguson, who at once repaired to the scene of the accident, but too late to be of any assistance, as the poor man expired five minutes before his arrival - about forty minutes after the accident No one saw the accident occur, but it is supposed that in trying to hold the horses he had tripped and fallen amongst the flax, and the horses probably being pulled round as he fell, one of them tramped upon his back with the fatal result above mentioned. The inquest upon the body takes place to-day, but we do not expect that any further particulars will transpire. We may add that the horses were well-known runaways, and previously occasioned several accidents. Their owner only goti out of bed, where he had been confined for several months with a broken leg caused by the same horses, and a week or two ago they ran off in the streets of Milton, although both master and man were in charge. Brayley has expressed himself as apprehensive of danger Jrom them, and only recently expressed his intention of leaving his master's employment in consequence. Very little was known of him here, but hs is believed to be a native of England, unmarried, and about 37 year of age. — Bruce Herald, Oct. X 4»