CANTERBURY.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 76, 21 September 1865, Page 9

CANTERBURY.

FEARFUL ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. As Cobb's last cart was returning from Christchurch last night about half past six, and just as it approached the sudden curve, close to the Old Powder Magazine, the pin of the break gave way, and from the shock on the j handle of the break, it threw the driver | " Kit," from his seat on to the side of the bank next the hill. The horses then started off, and pitched the vehicle ovei, throwing the passengers inwards towards the hill side. Had it turned over towards the sea, all would probably have been killed. As it is, one death has taken place.

At the head of the list of casualties nppears the name of a much respected young man, Mr Martin Dimond, the second in age of the three brothers of that name, so long known in Lyttelton. His skull was fractured by his jumping out of the van without opening the door, and from violence of the shock, although he reached the ground on his feet, producing fracture of the skull. He was picked up, lying in a pool of blood, and was conveyed to to town on a stretcher.

Meanwhile, the other sufferers were attended to promptly by Drs. Donald and House, who were speedily on the spot in a coach, which was ietched by " Kit," the driver of the capsized vehicle.

The casualties stand thus : — Mr George Martin, Dimond, deceased. Wr E. A. Hargreaves, ankle sprained, and otherwise brnised and shaken.

Mr J. S. Raphael, badly cut about the head, and much shaken.

Mr T. Hay, wrist badly sprained. Mr G. B. John°ton, severe cut over eye, and several general bruises.

From personal enquiry, we are happy to state, that no blame can in any way be attached to the driver of the vehicle, who did all he could on picking himself up to repair damages Mr Dimond was still alive on his arrival in town, but died late last night. The promptitude and skill of the two medical gentlernent, cannot be too highly lauded, — and we earnestly hope to see the four surviving sufferers speedily up and about again. It was a most fortunate thing there was no lady passenger at the time of this sad occurrence.

Mr Dimond, the unfortunate deceased, was in the prime of life, being only about thirty years of age.

An Inquest was to be held to-day, but had not finished when our messenger left Lyttelton.

The promptitude which Messrs. Cobb and Co. displayed as soon as the intelligence of the accident arrived in Christchurch, which was not till 9 o'clock, deserves notice. In spite of the extremely dark night Mr Lee Cole a,nd Captain Anderson called on Dr Prins, requesting him to accompany them to Lyttelton, which he did; returning to town about 3 o'clock this morning.

The want of telegraphic communication between Lyttleton and ( Christchurch after five o'clock, was much felt last night. Surely some provision should be made by which, in case of necessity, a message might be transmitted from one city to the other. At present the line is almost useless ; being only open at a time other means of communications are at hand. — ' Evening Mail.'