SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN MUNICH

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2534, 6 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN MUNICH

A Stampede of Elephants.

The following are full particulars of the street accident in Munich, which was referred to briefly in our cable messages :—•

All Munich turned out to witness the historical procession to celebrate the centenary of King Ludwig, which had been already twice postponed. Splendid weather favoured the beautiful spectacle, and a dense mass of people lined the pavements of tho broad Ludwig Strasse, whilst at all the prominent points stands had been erected, which were filled to the highest tierr-. Eight elephants and four dromedaries from Hageubeck's circus took part in the procession. Cars with emblematical representations of the trades and arts waited to join in at different, street corners. Just as tho procession had passed the Regent's tent the elephants suddenly came upon a steam car, which represented a dragon snorting and spitting fire. The first two elephants pricked up their ears and trumpeted with fright, thus alarming the six who followed. With a plunge they broke tho chanis that bound their legs. The men seated upon them were uuablc to control (he terrified animals, who charged into the midst of tho spectators, trampling down a number of those in their way. A panic ensued, and tbc people fled in all directions. The elephants then charged a stand. Everybody attempted to escape at once, with t.he result that the stand gave way, and tho ncoupants wero precipitated among the debris. After half an hour's career in the Residentz Platz the Ludwig Strnsse, the Odeon Plata, and the Brienner Strasso tho elephants were finally captured in the arcades of the theatre with the assistance of cavalry, and were surrounded and tied with ropes. It was afterwards ascertained that three grown-up persons and a child were killed in the stampede. About 20 persons wore severely hurt, whilst the number of slight injuries is very large. Most of the harm done was due to the fright of tho crowd. Tt tvas evident that the eight elephants were anxious to get out of the way of the terrified people. The animals were frightened, which ever way they turned, by shrieks and gesticulations. Some people attacked them with sticks and umbrellas. A soldier who confronted them with a drawn sword was quietly lifted up by one animal and placed aside without being hurt.