FATAL COACH ACCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17726, 10 September 1919, Page 4

FATAL COACH ACCIDENT

A LADY PASSENGER KILLED. DRIVER AND ANOTHER PASSENGER INJURED. (Peb United Press Association.) GISEORNE, September 9. An accident to the Tologa Bay coach near Tatapouri Yo-day resulted in the death of Airs James, wife of the licensee of the Paicarae Hotel, and injuries to the coach, driver (Tom Bushnell), an elderly man, and Mr Georgia Nelson, a passenger. Inspector Marsack, of the Hawke's Bay police, who was a passenger on a second coach, states that Mrs James and a boy-, aged three years, joined the first coach from the futupouri Hotel. There were three passengers—Mrs • James, the little boy, and Mr .Nelson. Soon after the second coach left Tatapouri Mr Nelson was seen coming back in a dazed condition, his face covered with blood, carrying the little boy in his arms. As the coach approached he cried out: "They are all dead on the road." Insp-ctor Marsack went forward, and found Mrs James dead—hor neck appeared to be broken—while the' driver (Bushnell) waa lying on the road -unconscious. Bushnell regained consciousness afterwards, and complained of pains in the stomach. He waa bleeding proiusely about the face. The injured and tho dead woman wore removed to the Tatapouri Hotel. As tho second coaoh proceeded to Gisborae the first coach was sson capsized in the channel near Hillside. One horse was lying beside it, with a broken leg; tho ether horses had kicked themselves free, I and were galloping along the road. Late to-night Bushnell and Mr Nelson were removed from Tatapouri to the Cook Hospital in _ a delirious state. Tho medical opinion is that there is nothing at present to indicate very serious injuries, but complications may occur. The boy was dightly cut about the face.