TRAM CAR COLLISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8536, 17 March 1908, Page 6

TRAM CAR COLLISION.

SEVERAL PASSENGERS INJURED. 'A tram accident occurred in Wellington on Sunday afternoon by which six or seven persons were injured, but all escaped comparatively lightly, with the exception of a little girl named Lyberg, residing at 12 Tory Street, who suffered from concussion of the brain. Two cars coming from Karori, leaving that place about 4.30, stopped at the Botanical Gardens to pick up passengers. There were a largo number, in consequence of a band concert just having concluded. The first car, No. 67, was driven by Motorman Gregg, and the one which followed, No. 57, by Mororraan Mills. After taking in the passengers the cars, which were both full, proceeded on their way to town, and stopped at the Hill Street loop to permit a car going in the opposite direction to pass. The cars then resumed their journey, and when they left Hawkcstono Street hill there was some considerable distance between them. Tho front car stopped at tho George Street corner to allow Mr Fernandos and his daughter to alight, the car driven by Mills approaching it. As he \va3 ncaring the stationary car, Mills applied the different brakes, but they failed to act, the only effect they had being to make the wheels skid. On perceiving that ho could not bring his car to a standstill, Mills immediately sounded his alarm-gong, as an indication that there was something wrong, and Gregg promptly applied the current to his car and started to go ahead.

By this time there was great excitement amongst the passengers. Some started to jump off the cars, and it is reported that women screamed and some fainted. The front ear had not proceeded far when it was violently cannoned into, by the one at the back. Passen gers were knocked off their seats, windows wore broken, and glass flew about in all directions. When the cars were pulled up it was found that a number of people had been injured, six, in addition to the little girl previously mentioned, having received bruises and cuts about the face, but none of them seriously. Dr. Henry was immediately summoned and examined the Sufferers. The girl Lyberg was conveyed to her home, where she was attended to. Up to a late hour last evening there was nothing fresh to report in her condition. Amongst those who were hurt wore Mr Harris, an aged gentleman residing at Oriental Bay, and Mr Mouatt, who is in the employ of Wardell Bros. The names of the others were not ascortainable last evening. The injury to the cars is not very extensive, consisting principally of broken windows. "The buffer of one of thorn is a bit knocked about, and the undergear is also damaged to some extent.