AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 5

AFTER THE RACES.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT DEVON-

PORT.

A BUS-DRIVER RUN OVER.

EXPECTED FATAL RESULTS. At the conclusion of the races at the Takapuna racecourse, Devon port, on Saturday evening there was, of course, the usual eagerness to get away, and the 'bus-drivers hoping to get two trips instead of one hurried away their fares as speedily as possible. Amongst other 'busmen so taking advantage of the circumstances was Edward Hodgkins, who was driving a two-horse 'bus for Messrs. Davis Brothers, of Devon port. He left the racecourse immediately after the last race with a full load of passengers, and anxious to get back again for a second load he whipped up his horses. Matters went right enough until the approach to Victoria Road, off Lake road. Here there is a steep grade, and an ugly sharp turn, and on the near side is a drain covered with heavy stones. The horses left the main road, and crossed over the rock opening of the culvert, the result being a great shock. Hodgkins, who was sitting next the break, appears to have been jerked off his seat, and the hind wheel of the vehicle passed over his right thigh and fractured it. This is tho account given by some of the passengers in the 'bus, but others say that in attempting to put on the brake his foot slipped in amongst the spokes of the wheel. As the brake is a. hand-brake, and the leg was broken at the thigh, this theory is not very probable, more especially as the position of the man showed clearly that the wheel had gone over him. Assistance was rendered as promptly as possible, and the Auckland police taking charge of the patient, had him conveyed to the Auckland Hospital. Upon examination it was found that the poor fellow had suffered a compound comminuted fracture of the right thigh, and consultation showed that amputation would be necessary. Hodgkins, however, refused to submit to the operation, and there is only too much reason to believe that he must succumb to the injuries he has sustained. Hodgkins has been for some time in the employ of Messrs. Davis' Brothers, and was usually considered to be a careful, steady, competent driver. It is thought that lie must have been carried away by the excitement of the racing for passengers, so as not to notice the sharpness of the turn which he made round the dangerous corner referred to. The escape of the passengers was most fortunate, as had the 'bus overturned they would have been pitched into a steep ditch, and many lives might have been lost.