THE RUNAWAY MOTOR-CAR.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17020, 17 December 1920, Page 6

THE RUNAWAY MOTOR-CAR.

« WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S SENSATION IN WELLINGTON. (press association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, December 16. Just as people were coming out of tho theatres last night, a motor-car, with a solitary occupant, dashed through the city streets, tho man at tho wheel shouting at tho top of >his voice, "Get out of my way!' Tho car appeared to be quite out of control. The car was seen by tho polico and others dashing through Ulio streets at 40 miles per hour. Its course through Willis and, Manners streets took it along the most narrow and crowded thoroughfares in the city. One tyre flew off, and tihe car toclced from side to side, but the driver still kept on. Tliero is a sharp turn from Willis street into Manners street, and this was taken with difficulty. At the junction of Cuba street with Manners street, a large crowd from the emptying theatres and picture halls was waiting for trams. The driver still came on, shouting out for people to get out of his way, and tho crowd was soon, running and pushing in all directions. Tho car was almost on the pavement. when it swerved and struck an Island Bay tram. The running board was smashed. Tho impact took some of the impetus off tho car, which swerved again across the street. The ear knocked down a woman who was about to enter a tram, struck others, and then, with a child locked under its wheels, slid right across to the other side of the road, where it struck a number of pedestrians. A scene of great confusion followed. Norman Beck and Miss Stubbs, who were most injured; were found wedged between the front wheels. Beck was severely gashed and injured, and Miss Stubbs' is suffering from a compound fracture of the left leg. Thomas Steele, a returned soldier, had his wooden leg splintered, and was Tousrhly knocked about. Miss Alma Oliver was injured about the legs. .These were l-'ie most severely handled, but five or six others received bruises. When the police came to look for tho driver, ho had disappeared, and* Beck was at first thought to be he; but it was afterwards ascertained from the number of t'h« rar that the owner was ono Clarke, of Lyall Bay, son of one nf the best-known" residents of Wellington. ARREST OF THE DRIVER. (PRKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December IG. The driver of the motor-car which caused last night's accident was Charles J.oseph Clarke, who runs a-health sanatorium at Lyall Bay, Wellington. He was arrested to-day on a dhargo of causing bodily harm to Beck. CRITICAL CONDITION OF TWO VICTIMS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, DeeemCer 10. Miss Stubbs and Norman Beck, tho victims of last night's motor accident, were at midday to-day in a critical condition. Both were operated upon last night. Beck regained consciousness to-