SERIOUS COLLISION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2195, 7 July 1914, Page 8

TAXI-CAB & MOTOR-CYCLE

THREE PERSONS INJURED

(Br Tclttraub.—Press Atsociation.)

Chrlstcliurch, July G. A collision between « taxi-cab and a motor cycle with a side-car attached, involving severe injury to three young people, occurred about midnight on Saturday at Huston's corner, on the New Brighton Road. Serious chargcs bavo been mado by tho cyclists as to tho conduct of tho taxi-cab driver after fiio accident.

John Henderson, on his motor cycle with Miss Olivo 'Buick and Miss Ivy Turner ill tho side-car, were returning from New Brighton. At Buxton's corner a taxi-cab, which they declare had no lights and was on tho wrong side of tho road, suddenly loomed lip in the darkness, and before Henderson could pull asido it was on top of the party. Tlio cyclo and sido-car wore smashed into a tangled mass. Henderson was pinned between the sido-car and tlio cycle, and tho girls wcro thrown oil to tlio road. 'Ihe driver of tho "taxi." according to tlio statements of tlio cycling party, made no remark as ho crashed into them, but quickly backed his car out, turned round, and madu off in tho direction of tho city. Henderson and tho two girls stato that they were lying on tho road fully half an hour boforo their cries for help wero heard by the occupants of ono of tlio houses in tlio vicinity. When help arrived it was found that Miss Buiek had her left leg and left hip broken; Henderson was severely cut and bruised all over the body, and Miss Tumor hail a kneo dislocated and was also badly bruised. They were all suffering from shock, and from tho effect of exposure in tho frosty night. Tho ainbitlnnco was obtained and Henderson and Miss Uuiek wcro taken to tlio Christcliurch Hospital, while Miss Tur- , ner was sent to a private hospital. Pollco Make Inquiries. The accident was inquired into by tho police. Frederick George Wfiitty, driver of tho taxi-car, interrogated, said that when tho collision occurred ho was driving on tho tram line, was on his right sid-3, and had two side lights burning. He did not notice tho motor cyclo until it was right on him. Ho callod "Look out," but tlio other inan did not appear to notice him. The collision was practically head on, hut ho stopped his car, which had been travellington at ten miles per hour, in such a maimer that it did not push tho bieyclo and side-car back at all. Immediately after'the collision he backed out his car for about twenty yards, and tlien turned round the block and came back to. Huston's Corner, about 40 yards from tho scene of the accident. Olio of his passengers got out of tho car when the collision took place, and stood by while he went round the block. Ho then cot another of his passengers to go and seo how things were, and that man returned in a few minutes and said thero wcro several people thero, and they were doing what Hicy could for tho injured', and ho understood a doctor had been sent for. They felt ccrtain that no good could he done by -remaining, and so drove hack to town. He did not think it was necessary to go "and asocrtain personally tho extenfc of tlio accident. Tho was only .slightly injured, a twisted axle,'a."bciit starting-handle, and dented bonnet covering the damage. Tho pqlipq.havo obtained statements from severafporsons wlw arrived on tlio seeno somo, timo after tho accident. Thero is,a" conflict of cvidonco between the driver, pf,tho taxi and the others as to who was .in fault. Whitty asserts that lie was on his right side, while tho others stato that ho was not, and that ho had no lights. It is stated that important; cvidonco had been obtained from persons who examined tlio wheel tracks of the taxi-cab. Tlio police aro having a pi. I'll prepared of the sceno of accident .shoiying the relative positions of tho taxi-cab and tho motor eye'o.