CHARABANC ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 55, 5 March 1921, Page 7

CHARABANC ACCIDENT.

SENSATION AT HENDERSON.

MOTOR FALLS THROUGH BRIDGE

AND FALLS FIFTEEN FEET. PASSENGERS ALL IMPRISONED RESCUED THROUGH HOOD. THREE SEVERELY INJURES. A sensational accident happened at Henderson at a quarter to nine this morning, when a char-a-banc carrying a | party of 21 men, women, and children to see the thrilling sport of motor racing at Muriwai broke through a wooden bridge. The whole party fell with the vehicle 15 feet into the stream below. All were severely shaken, and four now lie in the Auckland Hospital. The names of the injured are: — MISS M. AVILSOX, of Titirangi, who was pinned under water and almost juries. MR. \V. SHAW, brother of the driver, internal injuries, shock, and bruised head. MRS. JIARDYTE, broken arm. shock, und abrasions. RICHARD PACET, of Titirangi, cuts and abrasions. 'Die bridge through which the char-a-banc went crashing is a small wooden one a,t the foot of the well known Don Bucks Hill on the Don Buck-Henderson Road. The party was from New Lynn, and the accident occurred at the place where the road takes a sharp turn just past the diversion from the main Henderson Road. It was due to this that the vehicle was travelling slowly when it passed on to the bridge, which had been crossed by a much larger and heavier char-a-banc, carrying a full complement of passengers, 'it is suggested that the heavier vehicle strained the bridge, which has the appearance of being old, practically to breaking-point, so that the mere weight of the other, moving very plowly, broke away more than half the length of the bridge, leaving an onen chasm in the middle of the span. The missing ;>iere is several feet longer than the total length of the char-a-banc, and it has been snanped clean ofT. leaving only two small portions against each bank. BOUND FOR MTJRIWAI. Gilbert Francis Shaw was the driver, and Richard Paget, one of the injured, has told a full story of the occurrence. He said the party left New Lynn at R o'clock this morning, and had planned to go to Muriwai via the Henderson-Don Ruck road, over which heavy traffic has passed during the morning. The char-a-banc, was travelling dead slow on to the bridge, and the party saw a much heavier conveyance a few ihains iv front. This other vehicle had just passed over the bridge, and naturally not the slightest doubt that the brickie would not bear their combined weigtlis ever entered the heads of any of the party. "Rut they were right in the middle when there '.vns a grinding crash, the stern began to sink. progress was stayed, find the arnSzed party felt themselves slipping backwards and downwards. They were in a confined space, for the top of the char-a-banc was covered with canvas. .Mr. Paget splattered with mud, dripping and dishevelled, with cuts and abrasions on his face, torn clothing, and a bandaged hand, looked for. ;ill the world like a Digger from the mild-flat* of Inlanders, as he carried on with his ~tory, tolling how the whole party were tumbled into a lieap at the rear of the carriage, where he was sitting, and lio-v lie had the nightmare feeling of falling, falling through space. It "really lasted for perhaps a second. l>ut it seemed minutes befoe there came a great splash. and the waters came up a"nd overflowed into t'Jo body of the vehicle. The whole outfit went straight down till the wheels were deeply sunken in the muddy bottom of the stream, the canvas top alone remaining a few inches above the surfiue of the water. THE PASSENGERS IMPRISONED Meanwhile the passengers were struggling desperately to get out, but the top was in their way. and they did little more than increase their own terror and lessen their chances of escape till Paget managed to take out a knife and rip open the canvas. Through this aperture the passengers were passed by himself and several other gentlemen who retained their self control. Mr. Paget and another male passenger were working up to their necks in water handing out ihe others of the party, but it seemed « long time before the last one was dragged forth. This was Mips Wilson, who had slipped to t'ne floor and was pinned under a scat. She was unconscious when.taken forth, and the best part of an hour was occupied in elTorts at resuscitation. Fortunately these were successful, and the unfortunate lady, with the three others who 'suffered the more- severe injuries, was attended by IV. Hossiter, .who was in one of several motor ears that were behind the char-a-banc nt the time of the accident. GOOD RESCUE WORK. Sergeant Rowell and Constable McCHm'iiy were soon on the scene, and it was not long before three ambulances were speeding to the rescue. Artificial respiratory methods were applied to Miss Wilson by Captain White and Mr. B. K. Winter, of Rangitoto Avenue. Renuiern, and the young lady was restored, but again lapsed into unconsciousness at the hospital. The startling news of the accident spread liko wild lire, and in a very few moments residents of the district were hurrying to tlie scene to render all assistance in their power. Traffic was diverted from the road to Lincoln Road, a man being stationed at the junction of the main road with Lincoln Koad, controlling the stream of cars en route to the motor sports. The Shaw brothers, owners of the char-a-banc, were aboard the vehicle when the accident happened, one being in charge of the wheel. When a representative of this paper arrived by motor at the bridge, or. at least, the wrecked remains, a team of bullocks was struggling on the end of a cable attached to the heavily embedded vehicle, but they appeared not to be shifting it, the suction of both the mud md water evidently holding it firmly.

CONDITION OF SUFFERERS. Inquiry at the hospital this afternoon elicited the information that Miss May Wilson was still unconscious, but the actual injuries could not then be stated. William Shaw, aged 36 years, sustained injury to his left side and a blow on the face, but the injuries were not serious. Mrs. Lucy Shaw also received a flesh wound in the vicinity of her eye. Mrs. Mardle. of New Lynn, had the misfortune to have her left arm fractured.