One Killed, 27 Hurt When Bus Hits Bank

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1948, Page 5

One Killed, 27 Hurt When Bus Hits Bank

WESTPORT, Mon. (Sp.).—Mr Alfred Nuttall, 60, blacksmith, of Granity, was killed, and four passengers seriously and 23 others less severely injured when a bus on which they were travelling left the Mokihinui-Karamea road, near Taffytown Hill, and crashed into a bank on Saturday morning.

There were 34 passengers in the bus with the driver, Mr John Kelly, when the vehicle suddenly left a straight stretch of road.

Condition serious: Mrs R. Petrie, severe head injuries, fractured spine; Mrs A. Mann, head injuries, fracture of the left arm; Mrs F. Hansen, multiple compound fractures; Mrs P. Power, multiple lacerations, concussion.

The bus was travelling at a comfortable speed on a good road, when it suddenly plunged into a bank, throwing the passengers into confusion. THROWN INTO WINDSCREEN The driver, Jack Kelly, was thrown through the windscreen and two other occupants in the .front seat suffered a similar misfortune. So sudden and forceful was the impact that back-seat passengers were lifted nearly to the front of the vehicle. The bonnet of the vehicle was thrust deep into the clay bank,- but the rear must have been lifted clean around until the bus finished up across the road. A car full of adults following the bus helped to extricate some of the more seriously injured and helped others who had pinned down children and could not get free. 20 MAJOR OPERATIONS Immediately on advice being received at the Buller Hospital, the medical superintendent (Dr D. R. Ryder) made arrangements for admission of the injured excursionists. All available ambulances in the Buller district were despatched to the scene with medical officers and nurses, while lorries, a mine van at Granity, and private cars were also made use of to bring the injured to Westport.

Condition satisfactory: Mrs H. Masterton, multiple lacerations; Miss June Mann, multiple lacerations; Master Leslie Goodall, multiple lacerations; Donald Bell, fracture and dislocation of a shoulder. Keith Dixon, multiple lacerations; Master Robert Pratt, incised wound in leg; Master Michael Easton, multiple lacerations, concussion; Colin Howatt, concussion; K. Armstrong, fracture of the lower leg; Ronald Easton, concussion; Ambrose Coe, multiple lacerations; Arthur Mann, incised wound in foot; Morris Kelly, multiple lacerations; Master Joseph Easton, fracture of the forearm; George Moffatt, incised wound, lower leg; William Moffatt, concussion; Master Reginald Collins, fracture of the upper arm. H. J. Shaw, multiple contusions; Jack Kelly, multiple wounds, fracture of the wrist; Vernon Goodall, concussion, multiple lacerations; George Tyler, fractured collarbone; George Ewan, fracture and dislocation of the right hip; Master lan Bell, fractured wrist.

A call was sent out for blood donors and nursing assistance, and they were responded "to almost immediately. Blood and plasma were on hand.

A record number of X-ray examinations were made, and an extra theatre was quickly lifted. Twenty major' operations were performed between 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, while 28 patients in all were attended to for fractures and other injuries, besides seven who were released after treatment for less serious complaints.

CASUALTIES Died in hospital: Alfred Nuttal, married. blacksmith, of Hector, wellknown in band circles, who suffered penetrating wounds of the chest and lung. Other casualties (ail from Granity or Hector) were as follows: