QUEEN MARY IN ACCIDENT

Southland Times, Issue 23826, 25 May 1939, Page 5

QUEEN MARY IN ACCIDENT

ROYAL CAR CAPSIZES AFTER COLLISION BRUISES AND SHOCK ONLY INJURIES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, May 23. Queen Mary was involved in a motorcar accident when a Royal car and a lorry collided at the junction of Wimbledon Park road and West Hill road, Putney. A painter placed a ladder against the car and helped the Queen to alight. She was treated in a doctor’s surgery nearby and after resting at the doctor’s home returned home in a Royal car, a crowd cheering her.

Advice from Marlborough House, her official residence, says that her staff was informed that Queen Mary was not hurt.

An eye-witness of the accident says that the car overturned completely and that Queen Mary seemed badly shaken but had greatly recovered when she was driven away. Residents who rushed from their houses saw the Royal car on its side.

Another eye-witness said that Queen Mary looked very white and shaken but maintained her composure as she was helped to the doctor’s house. Her lady-in-waiting was also shaken.

In the meantime another car was summoned by telephone. Queen Mary after her return to Marlborough House. retired to her private apartment and it is understood that she was attended by doctors.

The others in the overturned car were Lord Claud Hamilton, who suffered cuts to his hand, and Lady Constance Milnes-Gaskell, who suffered a grazed arm. The following bulletin, signed by Lord Dawson of Penn, Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Mary, was issued from Marlborough House at 7.30 p.m.: “Queen Mary is suffering from bruises and shock as the result of her accident. Though the bruising is considerable and will necessitate some days’ complete rest her Majesty’s condition this evening was satisfactory.” Queen Mary was returning from a visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley (Surrey) when the collision occurred 'with a two-ton lorry which was emerging from a side turning. It struck the rear wheels of the car and the impact catapulted the car to the pavement, where it. overturned on its right side. The windows were smashed. Builders’ men opened the upper window with a hammer and passed a short step-ladder by which the chauffeur and others assisted Queen Mary to alight. Queen Mary looked round and said: “I am all right. Is anyone hurt?” She was then assisted across the road to the house of Mr Frederick Revell, a son of Dr Hugh Revell who died last week.

Mr Revell said: “I took the Queen to the drawing-room. She did not appear to be hurt but complained of her back and said she might have suffered some slight bruises. The Queen had a cup of tea and an aspirin. We telephoned round for a doctor but none was at home. The Queen said that she would be all right after resting a few minutes. The. Queen apologized for the house being upset.” The Queen’s immediate engagements have been cancelled. There will be no new doctor’s statement until tomorrow.