SANDON MOTOR SMASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 9

SANDON MOTOR SMASH

DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. A TERRIFIC IMPACT. OARS REDUCED TO HOPELESS WRECKAGE. (Fbom Ova Own CoaßsspoiroiwT) •- WANGANTJI, May. 21. Fuller ipcurtieulars of the motor smash •which occurred near Sandon last evening with fearful consequences, show that the disaster occurred shortly after 6 o'clock, when a ceaseless stream of cars was travelling Boutli oveir the road from the Wanganw races. A good many of these cars were, as usual, making the pace, and the marvel is that, the number, of oars utilised in connection with race meetings and 'which travel at breakneck pace over the difficult roads, serious accidents are eo few in number. In connection with last night's tragedy Mr Eglin-' ton, who was killed; was returning from, Palmerston North in a Buiok oar, and waa taking Mr and Mrs A'Court and Mr Penny td their homes in Sandon. About .half a milo from the township the car collided •with another Buick returning from Wanganui, and driven by Mr Warren Newth,' of Palmerston North, a taxi proprietor. Although the road at the seen© of. the accident is wide and almost straight,, the impact occurred with such tenrifio force that' both cars were reduced to hopeless wreckage. Tho taxi-car struck Eglinton'a machine a glancing blow, the rear portion being practically torn off and entirely, stripped of its back wheels, and the differential gear of Newth's car had slewed right round and across the road, the radiator and front wheels of the car being scattered and the hood and body battered and bent Both cars were damaged beyond repair, and -tho road was torn'.' up audi littered for yards around with broken glass and fragments of metal. Mr Eglinton, whose neck was broken, waa evidently killed instantaneously, while Mr Penny, who occupied the back seat behind tho driver, was toundtobe suffering from a fractured skull and had a leg broken in two places. Mr and Mrs <A'Court escaped almost unhurt . la the other car there wore six occupantsMessrs 'W. Newth, B. Faircloth, Powell, Kidman, M'Conkey, and Rendali, of Palmerston Nortih—all of whom were more or ; less injured. Mr Newth waa found lying unconscious on the front seat of his car, bleeding freely from' wounds in the head. Of his companions Faircloth seems to have suffered least. Mr MtJonkey, who is proprietor of the Kosy Lounge in Palmerston North, was severely out and only recovered consciousness when brought to town. Mr Powell, who is proprietor of the Railway Buffet, suffered very severely from lacerations and gashes on tho scalp and face. Mr Kidman, who is a boarder at the Railway Buffet, waa taken to the hos- : pital suffering from shook and loss of blood. The other occupant is a postal employee: named Itendall, who received bruises about the faco and body. Most of the occupants ; of Newth's car were so_ dazed that they were unconscious or bewildered for a considerable time after the accident. Medickl add from Bulls and Palmerston was pro- ■ cured for those whose condition aecnled. too serious to warrant their, immediate removal, and the Palmerston North ambulance afterwards went out to bring Mr Penny Ho tho hospital. ' , Mr Eglinton waa a member of a wellknown- fanning family. He was a son of Mrs and the late Mr D. Eglinton, of Palmerston North, and he leaves ft widow and a son and daughter. Mr Penny, who ia a single man and the second son of Mr D. S. Penny, 'of Carnarvon, was operated upon soon after his admission to tho hospital, and more favourablo_ reports have einoo be?n received as to hi£ chances of recovery.