ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19965, 6 December 1926, Page 10

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

TWO BOYS INJURED. STRUCK BY MOTOR VAN. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 4. An accident of a somewhat serious nature occurred in the main street at Devonport this morning when two lads, Gordon Cox, 8 years of age, whose home is at 8 High street, Devonport, and Thomas Ford, aged 12, who also resides at Devonport, were knocked down by an ice cream van, the property of Messrs Astrella and Sons. At the time of the accident the two boys were manipulating a children’s trolley round the Bank of New Zealand corner when, it is assumed, one of the front wheels of the trolley suddenly came off throwing the occupants further towards the centre of the road. At this critical moment Astrelia’s ice cream van, which was proceeding up High street; struck the trolley and passed over the two lads, pulling up some considerable distance further on. On being picked up Cox was in an unconscious condition, and the boys were immediately admitted to the Auckland Hospital. Both are suffering from injuries to the legs, while Ford also sustained a fractured forearm. Serious injuries to the knee-cap were received by the younger boy, Gordon Cox and necessitated an immediate operation. SERIOUS MOTOR ACCIDENT. (Peb United Press Association.) TAURANGA, December 4. , A motor car fatality occurred about 3 o’clock this afternoon about nine miles from Tauranga on the Tauranga-Waihi road. It appears that Leslie Allen Cooper, employed at the borough hydro-electric station, M'Laren’s Falls, with his wife and two children, drove into Waikino yesterday to bring Mrs Cooper’s parents, Mr Mrs John Odium, across for Christmas. The party were returning to-day, and when they reached the point stated the car apparently swerved, hit the bank and capsized. Cooper, who was drivirg, was thrown out through the windscreen and Mrs Cooper was also thrown clear. The children, too, escaped uninjured, but Odium was picked up dead, and Mrs Odium was found to be seriously injured. A passing motor oar, driven by Mr Hugo Dickson, came upon the party and found Odium and the Coopers clear of the car, but Mrs Odium and the two children were confined in the wrecked hood. With the assistance of some men who arrived almost simultaneously from the other direction in a motor lorry, the overturned car was lifted clear. Mrs Odium was brought to the Tauranga Hospital, where it was found she was suffering from a fractured skull, a broken leg, and internal injuries. Her condition is critical. SMASH AT CYCLE RACE. THREE MEN INJURED. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. Three cyclists were injured this afternoon at the English Park Stadium during the eight hours’ cycle race. It is the worst accident which has happened there since the stadium was opened. . . , The injured men are W. T. Weir, right hip badly injured, bruises and concussion; J. Scruise (Australia), abrasions and bruises; W. J. Holland, injuries to head and face, • bruises on the body, and concussion. Holland was the most seriously injured and was unconscious for half an hour. All the men have been admitted to the Chrhtchurch Hospital, Scruise fell twice, but the first time he was not hurt, and remounted his machine. There were three spill; altogether. The men fell on tl.e hard concrete, and, the speed at whicn <' "ere travelling added to their m]UAoSsection of the crowd demonstrated against tiie delay in removing Holland, who had to wait in a semi-conscious condition for about 40 minutes owing to lack of ambulance facilities DEATH FROM HEART FAILURE. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4 An inquest concerning the death of John M’Callum Watson, aged 56 .years, of Kiccarton, was held this morning before. the coroner (Mr H. P. Lawry). Mr Watson died suddenly yesterday. He was a wellknown furniture manufacturer of Lttnstchurch. A verdict was returned that death was due to heart failure. A SHUNTER’S DEATH. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. At the inquest on Hugh Cameron, aged 24 years, a married man, who was run oyer and killed by a railway wagon om day November 27, evidence was given that Cameron, Ivho was an experienced shunter, fiited in ’an attempt to jump across the front of the wagon. A verdict « turned that death was due to a fracture of the skull received while engaged i shunting operations. SUDDEN DEATH AT PORT CHALMERS. William Stewart, a resident well known in Port Chalmers for many years, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon while attending the funeral o f another old identity. As the doctor who had been attending Mr Stewart could attest the cause of S the sudden collapse and death, an inquest will not be necessary