SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1916, Page 7

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

— ■ •-» — RUNAWAY'S WILD CAREER. ROTORUA PARTY'S EXPERIENCE^ THROWN OUT OF BUGGY. HON. THOMPSON SERIOUSLY INJURED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") ■ROTORUA, this day. A serious accident happened on Sunday evening to a party returning from a fishing excursion at Tarawera. The party consisted of the Hon. Thomas Thompson, of Auckland, Mr. C. R. Tapper (of the Palace Hotel), and his son •lack, and W. Waddell, an experienced driver. At Tikitapu Flat the horses took fright, and one of the pole straps broke, the pole striking heavily on the near horse. The terrified horses galloped the whole way up the long rise and round dangerous curves, the trap travelling on two wheels at the bends. The party held on as firmly a.s possible, hoping the horses would get tired out. At one time the driver almost recovered control, but when the grade eased the runaways travelled with renewed vigour. After several narrow shaves the buggy struck a hank at a bend with terrific force, the shock l-urling the whole party out, while the buggy continued its wild career, and soon struck heavily. The pole was splintered to atoms, and the horses came down so exhausted that were unable to struggle further. They were found by Mr. Davidson, who was also returning from a fishing excursion, late in the evening. When the horses bolter! they passed Mr. Roberts, Clerk of the Court, on horseback with his son. a boy of eight, riding a pony. As the runaways thundered up the pony reared, and threw tbe lad heavily. He suffiyed a broken arm. and was badly shaken. .lack Tapper, the only one of the party who was uninjured, secured Roberts' pony and galloped to Rotorua. Dr. Bertram started immediately in a motorcar, to the aid of the sufferers, and all were conveyed to Nurse Castle's Private Hospital. Mr. Thompson sustained the most serious injuries, and he fainted on arrival at the hospital. Roth of his arms were broken, and he was terribly shaken. It is believed he has several ribs broken. Tapper sprained his knee, and is I severely shaken. Waddell has # a broken arm. and is suffering from shock. The sulTereis passed a fairly good night.