DISCING MISHAP: TOLAGA DRIVER’S LUCKY ESCAPE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22821, 16 December 1948, Page 6

DISCING MISHAP: TOLAGA DRIVER’S LUCKY ESCAPE

Residents of Tolaga Bay who have learned the details of the accident which resulted in Mr. Trevor Reid being admitted to hospital on Monday are amazed that he escaped with his life after a heavy set. of agricultural discs had passed over his head and body. The accident" occurred on Monclay morning when Mr. Reed was harnessing his six-horse team to the discs to begin the day’s operations on Mr. E. H. Loisel's property. One of the horses was inexperienced in discing work and gave trouble when being hitched to the draw-bar. As Mr Reid was stooping to clear a trace-chain from under the foot of this animal it took fright and plunged ahead, tripping the driver and throwing him to the ground in front of the blades.

With his neck lodged against the draw-bar of the disc combination, Mr. Reid was thrust some distance in a prone position, until his feet came in contact with a tussock. With this resistance the draw-bar and discs rose and rode over him, Mr. Reid being somersaulted in the process. Protection of Head

He endeavoured to protect his head with his arms and received severe gashes about the scalp and on his arms. Bleeding profusely, he retained consciousness, but was unable to stay the progress of the frightened team, which was still dragging the discs about the field when he struggled to the highway nearby. To staunch the bleeding of his several wounds Mr. Reid wrapped a cardigan about his head. He was later picked up by a passing motorist who was horrified by his appearance. While being driven to Tolaga Bay for attention, and despite the pain of his injuries and his much-weakened condition, Mr. Reid insisted in getting a message to the station management to ensure that his team was rescued from the predicament precipitated by the inexperienced horse. He was reported from the Cook Hospital today to be making good progress.