THE COACH ACCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 8

THE COACH ACCIDENT.

LIST OP INJURED

NARRATIVE OF A PASSENCER.

(By Telegraph.— Eress Association.) Auckland, March 10. Further particulars of tho accident to the coach which turned over yesterday morning between the Waitomo Caves Hotel and Hangitiki are to hand. These wore brought by' Mr. F. A. Fenton, chemist, of Newton, who, together with his wife, were amongst tho injured.

Speaking of his experience this morning Mr. Fcnton said: "At the scene of tho accident there is a sharp incline, and the coach was driven at a moderato rate. The road is very narrow, and, on one side, the'ro is a high bank, while, on the ..other, is a culvert almost six feet 'deep. As tho coach was proceeding down the incline, tho brakes (for some reason at present unexplained) refused to act, and the driver, Sutton, tried his utmost to pull his horses up., but without avail. After narrowly missing the culvert on the left side of the road, ho was able to turn his horses to the right, but the coach pitched over towards the bank, and almost turned turtle.. Fortunately it was too near the side of the road to go completely over, but it was hurled against tho bank at an anglo of about 45 degrees. Tho luggago on top of it was thrown to the ground, and the passengers underneath were hurled out. Those who wero sitting on the left side sustained the greatest injuries as they wero thrown on ,top of the others, and right out of the , coach. Those on tho right side did not fall so heavily, but some received painful injuries when the other passengers fell on them."

Another coach was following in tho rear and on board it was Nurse Wafts of tho Auckland Hospital, who, together with Dr. A. H. Gilmer, of Wellington, who was riding in the first coach, rendered first aid. Tho following is the list of tho injured:—

Mrs. M'Leod, Takapau, broken collarbone and severe internal.injuries. ' Captain Johnston, harbourmaster at Wellington, severe internal and external injuries'. Mr. W. Yardley, , bad cuts en the head. " ' , . Sirs. Yardley and Dr. Giliner, severe hjuises. , . Mr. F.-A. Fenton, chemist, Auckland, bad cuts on the head. Mr. B. M. Wilson, of tho Tourist Department,' and his wife were on the coach, but escaped serious injury. The injured are at present in Waikato Hospital. Several havo been operated upon, and aro doing well.