A DISASTROUS COACH ACCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 41

A DISASTROUS COACH ACCIDENT.

_ CHRISTCHURCH, January 1. A disastrous coach accident occurred at 4.20 this afternoon at Paddy’s Bend, two miles beyond th© Cass, Seven people were injured, most of them seriously. They are : —Archibald Neil (Westport), bruises on the head and shoulders and sprained ankle; Mrs Neil (Westport), in. juries to back: J. W. .Birley (Christchurch), injuries to back and chest and shoulder dislocated: Mrs Birley (Christchurch), chest injuries; Pat Burke (Brunner), two finger's crushed and ribs injured ; Mrs Hopgood (Paroa, Hokitika), injuries to back and chest; John Hambleton (Dunedin), a scalp wound. The coach, which belonged to the Moynihan line, was proceeding with several others to the Cass Railway Station to catch the evening train for Christchurch. It had on board 14 people, including two infante. Half of these were injured, and tire others had a miraculous escape. At Paddy’s Bend, a dangerous corner, with a downhill road, the horses galloped and a trace snapped, and in a moment the conveyance had been pitched over th© bank and dropped iOft down to a rock-strewn stream below. The coach was smashed to pieces. Some of the passengers on the box seats jumped clear, but those inside were carried down. The horses bolted, dragging one of their number, who had fallen, behind them. It had afterwards to be shot. Fortunately other coaches were close at hand, and the injured were given first aid and conveyed to Campbell’s refreshment rooms at the Cass, where Constable Si*Holm and Mr Guinees, the stationmaster, did a lot of useful work. Several of the passengers seen by a reporter also spoke in strong terms of praise of the efforts of Mr A. R. Blank, who, right from the jump, took the leading hand in assisting the sufferers, and continued in this direction right up to the time of their reaching Christchurch. The Christchurch train was delayed a couple of hours at the Cass,_ and the injured were conveyed to Christchurch —. three in stretchers in the guard’s van. At Darfield Dr Walter Thomas, of Christchurch, boarded the train and rendered relief. In the meantime the hospital authorities had been communicated with, and when the train arrived at Addington, shortly before 10 o’clock, the ambulance was present and the injured were conveyed to the Christchurch Hospital. Though their injuries are serious, it is not anticipated that will bg fatal.