TOURIST COACH OVERTURNS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2003, 10 March 1914, Page 6

TOURIST COACH OVERTURNS

AT WAITOMO CAVES, Private.advice received in town yesterday stated that there was a large number of visitors at Waitomo for tho weekend. The majority, according to a special message-received by- the "Evening Post," left in two coaches at 9.15 yesterday morning. Half-way to the stationthe first coach, in charge of Driver Sutfon, overturned. Captain Johnson (of the Wellington pilot staff), Mr. B. M. Wilson (general manager of the Tourist Department), Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Parsons, Dr. Gilmer and Mrs. Gilmer, and Mrs. Johnson (of Wellington), also several others from other parts of the Dominion were in the coach. The road was ircgood. order.and.the team of horses a quiet one. The heavy coach was going down-hill, when the brake apparently failed. •" ■..'.' •■ . . ■■

When the-news reached the hostel Mr. I'armento.- sent Guides Simpson, Fryer, Stewart, and Parker to the- scene of the accident to'.'render assistance. Dr. Gil-mer',-attended .to the injured. A'lady nurse was also amongst the party, and rendered'invaluable assistance.

The guides returned latrt in tho afternoon. Captain Johnson and Mrs. M'Leod (of Takapa-u, Hawke's Bay) were the two principal sufferers. Nurse Watts (of Aucklaid Hospital) and Dr. Gilmer were kept busy. The latest news is that the sufferers are progressing favourably, but the two mentioned were the more seriously hurt. ' • - Mr. W. Johnson, son. of Cantain and Mrs. Johnson, received word last night that his mother and father had , arrived at the Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, and that Mrs. Johnson was unhurt, and Captain Jolinson- had received a number cf bruises, but othe/wise was not severely injured. They intend leaving for Eotorua ■to-day.