MOTOR FATALITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 28

MOTOR FATALITY.

DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT.

PALMERSTON N., May 20. A motor fatality occurred one mile on the "Wanganui side of Sandon at 6.30 last night. A car, driven by Mr Warren Novvth, a taxi driver, coming from Wanganui races, crashed into a car driven by Mr A. E. Eglinton, si Sandon settler, going from Palmerston, on the ' open road. Both vehicles were overturned end wrecked, and Mr Eglinton sustained terrible injuries to Jiis head, and died shortly afterwards. Mr E. A. Penny, a farmer, who was sitting In tho front seat, had his skull fractured mid both legs broken. Ho is not expected to survive the night. Mr and Mrs A'Court, who were in the back seat, escaped with a lew bruises. Mr Warren Newth was rendered unconscious, but is not seriously injured. Mr Basil Fairoloth is practically unhurt. Mr N. Powell received severe facial injuries, Mr J. S. M'Conkey. arid Mr Kid man, bad face and scalp wounds. Mr Rendall, a postal employee, is suffering from shock and bruises.

May 21. Fuller particulars 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 south over the road from the Wangaptii races. A good many of these cars Were, as usual, making the pace, and the fliarvel is that, considering: the number of oars utilised in connection with race meetings and which travel at breakneck pace over the difficult roads, serious accidents aro so few in number. In connection with last night's tragedy Mr Eglinion, who was killed, was returning from Palmerston North in a Buick oar, and was taking Mr.and Mrs A'Court and Mr Penny to their homes in Sandon. About half a mile from the township the car collided with another Buick returning from Wanga•nui, and driven by Mr Warren Nowth, of Palrnerston '"North, a taxi proprietor. Although the road at the scene of the accident is wide and almost straight, the impact occurred with such terrific force that both cars were reduced to hopeless wreckage. The taxi-car struck Eig-linton's machine a glancing blow, the rear portion being practically torn off and entirely fifci-ipped of its back wheels, and tho 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 the road was torn up and littered for yards around with broken glass and fragments of metal. Mr Eglinton, whose neck was broken, was evidently killed instantaneously, while Mr Penny, who occupied the back seat behind the driver, was found to be suffering from a fractured skull and had a leg broken in two places. Mr and Mrs A'Court escaped almost unhurt. In the other car there wero six occupants—Messrs W. Nowth, B. Faircloth, Powell, Kidman, M'Cornkey, and Kendall, of Palrnerston North—all of whom were more or leas injured. Mr Newth was found lying unconscious on the front seat of his car, bleeding freely from wounds in tho head. Of his companions Faircloth seems to have Buffered least. Mr M'Conkey, who is proprietor of the Kcsy Loungo in Palrnerston North, was severely cut and only recovered consciousness when brought to town. Mr Powell, who is proprietor of the Railway Buffet, suffered very severely from lacerations and goehos on_ the scalp and face. Mr Kidman, who is a boarder at tho Railway Buffet, was taken to the hospital sufferiiig from shook and loss of blood. The other occupant is a postal employe© named Kendall, who received bruises about

the face and body. " Most of the occupants of Newth's car were so dazed that they were imconscious or bewildered for a considerable time after the accident. Medical rtid from Bulls and Paimerston was procured for whose condition seemed too serious to warrant their immediate removal, and the Paimerston North ambulanos afterwards went out to bring Mr Penny to the hospital. Mr Eglinton was a member of a wellknown farming family. He was a son of Mrs and the late Mr D. Eglinton, oi Paimerston North, and he leaves a widow and a son and daughter. Mr Penny, who is a single man and the second son of Mr D. S. Penny, of Carnarvon, was operated upon soon after his admission to the hospital, and more favourable reports have since beon received as to his chances of recovery.