SERIOUS TRAM ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13481, 4 July 1907, Page 5

SERIOUS TRAM ACCIDENT.

TWO CARS IN COLLISION.

LADY PASSENGER BADLY IN-

JURED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchtjrch, Wednesday. At 8.30 a.m. to-day a serious tram accident occurred at the St. Albans Lane loop, whereby two trams were considerably damaged and a woman was very severely injured. .'.-.'.

The up and down Papanui trams always cross on the siding, both stopping there. The outward car was found to be running well at Bealey Avenue, as far as the brakes, and controller were concerned,; but the driver alleges that when he tried to shut off the current to stop at the siding lie found the controller had stuck so that he was unable to stop his car, consequently he dashed round the loop and on' to the main line again, and there met the other car, which was just coming to the points. The two met end on in collision, and! both the fronts were damaged. The incoming car did not suffer very much, but the front of the other was crushed back almost to the body, and completely wrecked, so that- the driver had a narrow escape. '■• The other car, mounted to some extent upon the platform of the moving car, and so caused the heavy damage. •"■-■':,

None of the -passengers ; who remained seated were hurt beyond suffering from the shock, but a lady of middle age,, named Mrs. Weeks, a, widow residing in Linwood Avenue, was badly hurt by dismounting from the moving car. She saw that an accident was inevitable, and in spite of the warning that the conductor at once gave her, she dismounted, stepping oft' ?;.ackwards. She was violently thrown to the ground, and sustained a fracture of the base of the . skull, resulting in concussion of the brain.« ' The fracture extended up the side _of the skull, traversing the inner ear. She was conveyed to the hospital, where an operation was, performed.

An inquiry is to be held as to the possibility of the likelihood of the controller becoming* stuck as it was said to have done. "

The motorman of the runaway car was badly cut about the face, and had his nose broken. Some stitches were required to close the wounds. Up to this evening Mrs. Weeks had not regained consciousness.