RADIO AND FAST TAXI HELP SAVE LIFE OF CHILD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22952, 21 May 1949, Page 6

RADIO AND FAST TAXI HELP SAVE LIFE OF CHILD

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 20. Radio and high-speed driving in which traffic by-laws went overboard combined to save the life ,of a Kliandallah child who swallowed a bottle of poisonous liniment on Wednesday evening. The trip from Kliandallah to the Wellington rublic Hospital took eight minutes with a radio-equipped taxi hitting a maximum speed of 73 miles an hour.

When the taxi company received the call it immediately diverted the nearest radio-equipped taxi to Khandallah. The taxi office was granted a dispensation by (he Wellington traffic department to break what traffic by-laws were considered necessary and the cab driver made all possible speed. The taxi company also got into communication with the hospital, then called the driver who also got into communication with the hospital and was able to state what had happened, thus enabling the hospital to prepare for the treatment of the child.

The taxi passed two intersections in the city with the lights against him, the only check in the journey being caused by a tramcar turning from a side street.

Two doctors were in readiness at the hospital and within minutes after the child’s admission its stomach had been pumped clear of the poison. The child, which is aged two years and three months, is reported to be in a satisfactory condition.