TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15374, 8 August 1913, Page 7

TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

BOY SEVERELY INJURED.

STRUCK BY CENTRE POLE.

IN A CRITICAL CONDITION.

'As 5 result of striking, a tramway pole while leaning over the side of a doubledecked tramear in Hobson Street yesterday morning, Horace Parker, a boy, aged 16 years, who lives with his parents in Goring Road, Edendale, received a fracture at the base of th© skull, and is also believed to have sustained a fracture of the spine, in the region of the neck.

The unfortunate boy, who is employed by Messrs. Harvey and Sons, of Albert Street, left for work in a car leaving Dominion Road about 7.150 a.m., in company with several other boys. He was sitting in the front of the car, on the right-hand side. It appears that the boys l ravel together every day, and when some of the party leave the car they make a practice of racing down the stairs of the car with a view to seeing who can get oS first. When the tram reached Wyndham Street yesterday morning two of the lads made the usual rush to leave the car. Parker, being interested in the race, stood up and leaned over the rail to see who had won. In the meantime the car had started — grado was down-hilland was going at a fair speed. While looking »t his companions Parke:.' apparently forgot the existence of the tramway poles in the centre of the road, and before he could withdraw his head he was struck by one cf them. He immediately collapsed, and if he had not been pulled back by another passenger, would possibly have struck the next pole. •■"•-'

The injured lad was found to be unconscious, and blood was issuing from his ears. The car was stopped, and he was placed on the front of it and conveyed to the corner of Customs and Queen Streets, vrhere Mr. Morris, traffic manager for the Tramways Company, pieced him in a motorcar and took him to the hospital. ' Upon inquiry at the hospital, Dr. Ardath stated that the lad had sustained a fracture at the base of the skull, and that possible the spine was fractured in the vicinity of the neck. His condition is regarded as being critical. Early this morning there was no change in the lad's condition.