SPECTACULAR RUNAWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3987, 12 August 1930, Page 19

SPECTACULAR RUNAWAY.

AN INTREPID CONSTABLE. A sensational runaway of a pair of horses attached to a delivery van caused no little stir in Cumberland street on Saturday morning about 9.30. It was not only sensational, but spectacular, and the horses had covered fully a mile before their headlong career was brought to an abrupt stop by the cool action of Constable Crosbie. The van belonged to Messrs- Wardell Bros., and the driver was busy delivering goods somewhere in the neighbourhood of Cumberland and Dundas streets when the runaway occurred. He had apparently left his horses standing quietly, and during his absence a small boy about 12 years of age had been overcome by the temptation to mount the vehicle. What exactly happened after he had scrambled up is not known, but from some cause or other the horses started off. Whether they thought the driver had resumed his place at the reins as usual, and -mderstood that it was tune to move, or whether the touched i.*<reins,- which’ might be mistaken as an intimation to start, it is difficult to say. The horses having once made a start, headed along Cumberland street, their speed rapidly increasing until it became a furious gallop, with the van swinging from side to side behind them. It was a marvel that the boy was not thrown off, and it was little short of miraculous that the runaways did not come into collision with some vehicle in the course of their mad career. Fortunately, they kept clear of everything in the road, and the Stuart street crossing was safely reached and passed. Constable Crosbie took in the situation at a glance, and at once took measures to bring the flying vehicle, to a standstill. He sprang upon the running board of a motor car, and then a stern chase -ensued. The van was overtaken at Water street, and Constable Crosbie made a determined effort to check the runaways, but was thrown to the ground, and received several bruises. He was quickly on his feet again, and resuming his position in the motor car, he was again in hot pursuit. The van was by this time getting close to Princes street, and if it had once reached there it is difficult even to conjecture how serious the results might have been. Two trams assisted in a very material way to give the constable his opportunity. The sight of

them slackened the pace of the galloping animals somewhat, and although it was only a momentary halt, it was sufficient for Constable Crosbie to secure the reins. The horses plunged and tried to swerve, and although the constable was swung off his feet more than once, he kept his hold of the reins, and finally the animals were brought to a standstill and quietened down. The boy quickly clambered out of the van and “ stood not on the order of his going, but went at once.” Constable Crosbie, though not badly injured, did not get off scathless, being hurt about the knee and hand. His uniform was also damaged.