SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT AT DUNEDIN. Mr Olivar Wakefield Killed by a Tram Motor. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1827, 22 March 1884, Page 2

SHOCKING FA TA L A CCIDENT AT DUN ED IN. Mr Olivar Wakefield Killed by a Tram Motor. [BY TELEGRAPH . — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Thursday.

Mn Oliver Wakekield, Undei -Secretary for the Goldfields, who was on his way from Wellington to Melbourne by the Waihora, was shockingly and fatally injured by a fiteam tram motor in Pi incos-stieet to-day. He was ciossing the stieet, and in trying to avoid an e\piess waggon was struck by the tram engine and knocked down. The front whe '1-3 iau ovci him, but the engine waa stopped befoie the back wheels could touch him. lie was taken to the Hospital in an unconscious state, and there it was found that both thigh bone--, were severed, and that he had sustained a seveie scalp wound. Ho ieca\eied con.scioat.ness at the Hospital, and the doctors amputated both legs. He lived only a shoil time after. Mr Wakefield was a son of Mi L r eh < Wakefield, and a brother of Mr Edward Wakefield, of Timaiti, thoM.H.R. Mr WakcHeld died at six p.m. When he reco\ ered consciousness in the Hospital he ga\ c his name, so that his friends might be c raiunmicated with. He mentioned Mra Driver and Mrs Liruach, from whom he had not long befoie paited, as Dunedin acquaintance^. Four doctors performed the operation. Tt was not foi a moment believed that his. life could be saved, but it wa> the only chance, as the thigh bones were severed. He was sensible after the operation, and spoke to his acquaintances present, but lie only lived about half an houi. Two doctors remained with him till ho died. He was going on a visit to Melbmrne on leave. It is not certain whether the tram engine knocked him dow n, or whether he got confused and fell. Some persons on the pavement, who saw the occurrence, believe that he lost his nerve in front of the engine, and fell down before it struck him. The news of the accident has caused a great shock in the city.