WAITOMO COACH ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3586, 11 March 1914, Page 5

WAITOMO COACH ACCIDENT.

FURTHER PARTICULARS TO HAND. AUCKLAND, March 10. Further particulars of the accident to the coach which turned over yesterday morning between the Waitomo Cmves Hotel and Hangitiki are to hand with the arrival of Mr A. F. Fenton, chemist, of Newton, who, together with his wife, was among the injured. Speaking of his experience this morning, Mr Fenton said: “At Uio scene of the accident there is a sharp incline, and the coach was driving at a moderate rate. The road is very narrow and on one side is a high bank and on the other a culvert almost six feet deep. As the coach was proceeding down the incline for some reason at present unexplained, the brakes refused to act and the driver (Sutton) tried his utmost to pull his horses up, but without avail. NaiTowly missing the culvert on the left side of the road, lie was able to turn his horses to the right, but the coach pitched over towards the bank and almost turned turtle. Fortunately the coach was too near the side of the road to go completely over, but it was hurled against the bank at an angle of about 45 degrees. The luggage on the top was thrown to the ground, and the passengers underneath were hurled out. Those who were sitting on the left sale of the coach sustained the greatest injuries, as they were thrown on top of the others and right out of the coach. Those on the right side did not fall so heavily, but some received painful injuries where the other passengers fell on them.” Another coach was following in the rear and aboard this was Nurse "Watts, of the Auckland Hospital, gether with Dr. A. H. Gilmer, of Wellingfon. who was riding in the _ first coach, rendered first aid to the injured.