SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 13 December 1912, Page 5

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT

ON THE BIDEFORD ROAD

WAGGON AND TEAM GO OVER EMBANKMENT. .

A sensational accident, 'which might have been attended with very serious consequences, occurred on- the Bideford-Wainuiomapu road a few days back. A six-horse team belonging to Mr Edward Jones, of Masterton, was hauling a load; of wool to town. When a sharp turn, on a siteop grade, was being negotiated, the king-bolt left thjei fore-carriage of the waggon, and the .brakes failing to answer, the vehiclte and horses precipitated over fl steep embankment. Tho driver, * fortunately was able to jump clear. The waggon and horses were deposited on a ledge about forty feet down the hill. The horses and fore-waggon remained here, but the body of the waggon, with its load of wool, toppled over and made a descent of another fifty feet, to the bottom, of the gully. The horses, frantic with excitement } became involved in chains and harness, and cried pitifully in their distress. When they were extricated, it was found that none of them were seriously injured. A traction engine was procured, and the 'waggon and wool were hauled to the road by means of wire jroaps, So little damage was done tliat the waggon and: horses were utilised in convoying the load to its destination at tho Masterton railway station;.