OMNIBUS OVERTURNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 26

OMNIBUS OVERTURNS.

SIXTEEN PEOPLE BRUISED OR GASHED. AUCKLAND, May 8. I anic reigned for several minutes when a fully-laden omnibus, bound for Te Papapa, overturned after colliding with a motor car at the intersection of Green lane and Wheturangi road this evening. I’our women were seriously injured, and a dozen other passengers were either sevc-i ely bruised or gashed by flying glass. Ike screams of imprisoned people' brought help from houses in both streets, and it at first seemed that several had received fatal injuries. ihe four serious cases admitted to the Auckland Hospital were:—■ rs Sullivan, aged 25, of Moaaa road, Onehunga, broken nose and other facial injuries. Mrs J. Geraghty, aged 55, Church street, Onehunga, head injuries, fractured sxutl suspected. . Mrs E. Gavin, aged 31, Horotutu road, injuries to spine and shock. M’ss Olive Thompson, aged 19, Tawhiri road, Onehunga, shock and internal injuries. The bus was running its regular outward service to Te Papapa along Wheturangi road. n^r C motor car, driven by Mr Georgo D. Hopkins, salesman, of Mount Hobson road, was proceeding up Green lane towards Wheturangi road. There was one passenger in his car. The bus was well across the intersection when the impact occurred. The car swerved to tne left, and the bus to the right, but neither movement was sufficient to clear the vehicles, and while the wheels of the bus were on full lock its right-hand front spring met the car on the right-hand side. The car spun completely’ round as though on a pivot, and came to rest at the side ot the road. ,^ le . J jlls swayed and crashed over on its left side, the driver and a lady passenger being alone thrown clear without injury. Had the speed of the bus been great, the body would have been ripped, but the fall splintered the wood and the glass on the ground side and hurled passengers into such a confused heap that the exit was blocked.

M omen jammed in the scats and showered with debris screamed for assistance, and in the panic helpers outside could not at first draw’ the attention of those struggling at the back of the vehicle to the emergency’ exit door. When this was finally opened the injured people were luted out. A cry of agony drew attention to one woman who was buried under the seat cushions with her body jammed near the step of the bus. Efforts to release her failed, and it was found that she was being crushed by the weight of the bus. Her position was critical, but nearly 30 men put their shoulders to the task and without mechanical assistance the bus yas lifted until the woman could be extricated from the debris. Ihe bus was then heaved upright until it was standing on its wheels again. The injured people were fortunate in receiving prompt aid from a doctor, and as some persons sent a telephone call for the public hospital ambulance immediately after the crash, no time was lost in removing the injured. The actual collision caused surprisingly little damage to either vehicle.