SPORTS FIELD ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 4

SPORTS FIELD ACCIDENTS.

MOTOR-CYCLIST'S FALL.

SEVERAL FOOTBALLERS HURT.

A motor-cyclist, Mr. E. Thomas, fell heavily while competing in the 10-mile motor-cycle race at the Avondale sports carnival on Saturday. He had travelled five times around the course, and was just passing the stand when his machine swerved outwards and was hit by another machine, ridden by Mr. A. Smith, coming up immediately behind him. Mr. Thomas fell and was rendered unconscious. He was removed from the ground in a hand ambulance, and was attended to by the Ambulance Brigade. He had sustained a cut above the eye and w-as shaken, but soon recovered. One wheel of the injured man's cycle was badly damaged. Several young men "wer e injured while playing in football matches on Saturday. Mr. Stanley CleaJ, aged 19, who resides in Sheehan Street, Ponsonby, strained a tendon in oiie of his feet; Mr. Andrew Paul, aged 21, a student of St. John's College, Remuera, strained the muscles of his back; Mr. Harold Castles, aged 24, residing in Grafton Road, and Mr. Stormont sustained dislocated shoulders; while Mr. A. Martin injured one of his thighs. Messrs. Cleal and Paul, who were among those who received attention at the Auckland Hospital, were still in that institution last night. TWO MISHAPS AT EI.LERSLIE. JOCKEY SERIOUSLY INJURED. Two jockeys suffered severe fails at Ellerslie on Saturday morning while engaged in riding work over the steeplechase course. A company composed of half a dozen equines charged the water jump at racing pace. All negotiated the obstacle safely with the exception of Mollyroon ridden by H. Haigh, who blundered and fell; and her rider was thrown heavily Peer Rosa, ridden by J. Roach, after completing a round of the big fences fell at the first fence of the double hurdles while racing at a sharp pace with Oakleigh. It was at once recognised that the two jockeys were severely hurt, and Dr. McGregor Grant, who was on' tha course, hurried to the scene. Haieh who was unable to move his limbs was conveyed to th e casualty room On a stretcher, and, after examination Dr Grant ordered his removal to the hospital' We was found to have sustained a severe injury to his spine. An operation was performed on Saturday night. J Roach the other rider injured, escaped with a" broken collarbone.