STRUCK BY FIRE ENGINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 10

STRUCK BY FIRE ENGINE

man seriously injured thrown against fence MACHINE'S SUDDEN SKID [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Serious internal injuries were received by Mr. J. McSperrin, a waterside worker, when ho was struck by a fire engine at the Featherston Street and Bunny Street intersection this evening. He was taken to the Public Hospital in an unconscious condition. Shortly before 6 o'clock the Central fire station received a call from a street box at the old Post Office. Two engines set out, proceeding along Jervois Quay, down Whitmore Street, and along the northern end of Featherston Street. The first engine negotiated the Bunny Street intersection without incident, but as the second was about to cross a motor-car proceeding in a southerly direction along Featherston Street turned to its right in order to go into Bunny. Street. Having the right of way the fire engine, with its siren shrieking and firemen clinging to its side, continued on ita course. When the driver saw that a crash wa3 impending he applied the brakes. The engine turned round completely and faced the other way. Mr. McSperrin, who, it is understood, was standing on the pavement, is believed to have been struck by a ladder attached to the engine.-He was thrown with considerable force against the fence surrounding the Government printing office and was rendered unconscious. He was still in that state when inquiry was made at the hospital later in the evening. The motor-car apparently was not struck, and after stopping for a moment in Bunny Street, it proceeded on its way. One fireman was left with the injured man and the engine went on to the fire, which was a gorse outbreak on a hill at Kaiwarra.