SERIOUS MOTOR ACCIDENT

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 149, 18 March 1924, Page 8

SERIOUS MOTOR ACCIDENT

CAR SOMERSAULTS OVER A STUMP MR. J. BUTLER SERIOUSLY INJURED There was a very sad termination on Sunday morning at Waikanae to a most successful “motor drive” on behalf of the extension fund of the Wellington Boys’ Institute. Accompanied by the Institute land, a picked number of boys, ip charge o! Messrs. GVorge Troup (chairman) and J. W. Butler (director of the institute), left town ten days ago on a motor tour of tho country districts as far north as Taranaki. The six ears containing the party left Hawera on Saturday morning, and Palmerston North at 6 a.m. on Sunday, for Wellington. The procession of cars was proceeding at a very moderate pace near Maikanae, when the third car suddenly swerved to ojne' side, struck a wayside stump and turned clean over. The driver of ti'.e overturned car (L. Marple) scrambled out unhurt through the smashed wind-screen, and L. Ayres, F. Newson, A. Woodmas, and R. Sharp, members of the institute’s brass band, were released without sustaining anything but minor injuries and shock. The only other occupant of the ear was the director, Mr. J. W. Butler, who was found to bo very badly injured. He was in great pain, and was obviously unable to move. Dr. Sharpe, of Otaki, was summoned, and was on the scene in good time. He ordered Mr. Butler’s immediate removal to tlio Otaki Hospital. Dr. Sharpe stated yesterday afternoon that Mr. Butler’s spine liad been completely fractured, and below tho point of the fracture ho was paralysed. Mr. Butler was appointed director of the Boys’ Institute five years ago. Ho is also a member of tho Wellington Hospital Board. Mr. Troup returned to Wellington ahead of the party. Mr. Iremonger, ouo of the party, stated that the homeward trip was nothing but a chapter of mishaps, no fewer than thirty punctures having occurred between Hamua and Waikanae. At the time of the accident,, indeed right through tho trip, a moderate pace had been maintained by the cars.

After the overturned car was examined, its front axle was found to be fractured as tho result of a flaw, and there is little doubt that this caused the car to swerve and overturn in the way it did.