A SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1913, Page 5

A SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

BOX'S NECK BROKEN. -WHILE TRAVELLING ON A TRAMCAR. DANGER OF CENTRE POLES. A shocking accident occurred jnst before eight o'clock this morning, In Hobson Street, by which a boy; aged 10, named Horace Parker, who lives with his parents at Goring Road, off Edcndale KoaJ, is likely to lose lv's life. The- boy was tiavclling on a double-decker car from Dominion Road, and leaned over the railing as the tram travelled down Hobson Street, past the power station. Forgetful of the existence of centre poles, tho boy was leaning well over the rail, when lie received a Mow which rendered him unconscious on the spot, fracturing his skull, and breaking 'his neck. From tho particulars available, it would seem that a number of hoys always travel in together on tho car leaving Dominion Road at about 7.30 a.m., and sit in the front Eoats on the top deck. Parker was sitting on tho very front scat, alongside the rail on the right-hand side. It appears that the boys, both coming into town and going home, make a practice of racing to see who quits the car first. This morning, at tile Wyndham Street stop, there was the usual rush, in which two boys participated. It was in an endeavour to see who won the race that Parker, a fairly tall hoy for his age, stood up and leaned out over the Tailing. The car was then about opposita -Swanson Street, and was travelling at a considerable pace. Parker, as"-he craned over, tho railing, was looking towards the back of the car, and was caught fairly on the base of the skul| by one of tlio iron centre poles bearing the electric wires. His neck was broken on the spot, and ho simply doubled up over the rail. According to tbo story of the boys who wero with him he would have been struck by the next centra polo had a man on tho car not pulled him back, Blood was rushing from his cars, and he was moaning loudly, hut was quite unconscious. He wn. taken on the car to tho foot of Customs Street, and, as no chemists' shops were yet open, Inspector Morris, of the Tramways Department, who happened to bo present, immediately placed the boy in a motor car, and had him removed to the Hospital without any delay. On inquiry nt the hospital this afternoon it was ascertained that the boy's injuries were as above stated, and that tho chances of his recovery were regarded is practically hopeless. Of the boys on the car at the time of the accident, three named Mclvor, Hale, md Kcmplay, hear out the statement that .he race from the lop deck to tho footpath is a usual occurrence when leaving the -ar, and declare that it was while inter■stcdly watching such a race this morning bat Parker forgot tbout tbe centre tram •wiles, nnd leaned out too far over the railing. The danger of centre poles is one which ins been engaging a great deal uf utlcn:ion on the part of the City Council nf ate. Tbo Automobile Association has iccn particularly active in agitating for he removal of centre poles, and in mi interview with the Mayor (Mr C. J. Parr), published yesterday, it was stated .hat the City Council would insist on the .■cntro poles being done away with, us a uoiaco to the safety of the public.