EXCITING CHASE

Southland Times, Issue 20609, 6 October 1928, Page 8

EXCITING CHASE

MOTORIST FLEES AFTER ACCIDENT. OVERTAKEN BY PURSUING CAR. At about half-past eight last night, a tramcar was proceeding along the North road on its outward journey when the motorman saw a car approaching which appeared to be driven in an erratic manner. When it reached the tram it apparently began to swerve off the rails which it had been following, but too late to avoid a severe collision. The front of the motor car was undamaged, but the right running board and the right rear mudguard were badly smashed and the back tyre burst. The damage to the tram was very slight. According to eye-witnesses the driver of the motor car must have felt that discretion was the better part of valour, because when the tramway man descended, the damaged car was seen scuttling away as fast as was possible. Not to be outdone, the tram-driver leaped into a car driven by a lady, and she pluckily gave chase. Around the blocks they careered until finally the escapee was cornered and forced to drive his car back to the scene of the accident. The police had meanwhile been informed, but while their arrival was awaited, and while the motorman was thanking the lady who drove the pursuing car, the over-hasty motorist again set his gears in motion, and before the rest woke up to the fact, was away down the road again. This time the chase was more prolonged, and he could not be re-captured till he had reached the avenue. Again he was led back like a lamb to the slaughter and the usual formalities were gone through. The tram was then able to proceed on its way and the motor was taken under control by representatives of a garage. Quite an ordinary accident enlivened only by two little dashes of originality.