SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 157, 15 July 1901, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

A YOUNG MAN INJURED ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD. During tho progress of tho Kaiti-Huia football match on Saturday afternoon, tho captain of tho Kaiti team, Mr Thomas Kirk, in the employ of Mr R. Seymour, jeweller, mot with a serious accident, through coming into collision with a member of his own team. In the second spell, about fifteen minutes before tho call of time, tho ball had been dribbled within a few yards of the Kaiti goal line. D. Porter and T. Kirk, who wero playing wing tkreequarters for Kaiti, made for the ball from opposite directions and were about to take it when tho opposing forwards kicked it beyond their reach. In the rush that followed Porter was swung round, his hip violently striking Kirk about the back of the nock, knocking him prostrate on tho ground. It was at once soon that Kirk was seriously injured, and play was immediately stopped. He was carried by a number of players to the dressing room, and Dr Williams was telephoned for from Mr Carroll’s residence. Upon arrival he pronounced the case a serious one and ordered Kirk’s removal to the hospital, where he was attended by Doctors Williams and Craig. The full extent of the young man’s injuries cannot at present bo ascertained, but it is feared that he has sustained a slight concussion of the spine. Tho case is regarded by the medical attendant to be of so serious a nature that last night Mr Seymour telegraphed to the young man’s father stating that it was advisable for him to came to Gisborne by the first steamer. Mr Kirk is ths oldest son of Mr Thomas Kirk, Clerk of the Court at Hamilton, Waikato. Since ho arrived in Gisborne ho has made many friends, and much sympathy is expressed for him in his affliction. Tho Rugby Union officials, and others who witnessed tho accident, did all in their power to relieve his suffering.