A RUNAWAY HORSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 8

A RUNAWAY HORSE.

CAB-DRIVER INJURED.

A serious aceident, whereby John Brookes, aged 35, residing in Ethel-street, Eden Terrace, was seriously injured, occurred yesterday afternoon in Queenrtreet- Brookes, who is a cab-driver in the employ of Messrs. Pullan, Armitage, and Co., while returning with his cab to the firm's stable at about one o'clock, stopped to obtain some goods from a shop in Queen-street. He did not go into the shop bat called out from tho footpath, and this apparently startled the two horses drawing the vehicle, for they bolted in tho direction of the Town Hall. Brookes succeeded in catching the reins of the horse nearest him, but he was unable to check their career, and was dragged along by them until the Town Hall was reached. Outside the hall tho horses left the road'1 way, charged on to the footpath, and crashed into the wall of the building. Brookes was crushed between the vehicle and the wall, and sustained severe injuries, a large hole being made in his back by one of the shafts. * Dr. Williams was ab> once summoned, and' lie ordered Brookes' removal to the hospital, where it was found necessary to operate on him. At a late hour last night he was reported to be progressing as favourably as could bo expected. .Strange to say neither the cab nor the horses sustained any injury.