Serious Train Accident.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVII, Issue 22693, 11 August 1903, Page 2

Serious Train Accident .

A serious train aceiueut occurred OH the Thames Paeroa iiue on Saturday ? afternoon, by which Mr Charles Smith, a resident of Kopu, well-known in Thames, met with severe injuries. It 1 appears that Mr Smith came to Thames during th» morning on* business snd this having been completed he caught the 4.20 p.m up-country train. Those who saw him before the accident state that he, appeared quite capa de of • \ looking after himself. He spoke intelligently, and was not in a state ofintoxication. After leaving Shortland he stood on the platform of the train, and appeared to be all right. He wa* standing with his back against the railing that protects the platform. ! Suddenly, and before a helping hand could be stretched out to. save him he appeared to collapse; his knees seemed to give way, and he .fell backward* between the railing and the platform on to the lines below. The train was-, immediately stopped and the injured man picked up. He was. found Xohave sus'ained. severe injuries, the wheels having passed over his arm* which w§s badly smashed and lacerated, and was merely hanging on by a shred. It was also found that hell ad sustained severe injuries, to hie ' face and head. He was conveyed to the Thames Hospital, where he received prompt attention at the . hands of Dr. Aubin, medical superintendent, and Matron Stewart and the Hoepital staff. It was found that amputation „ was necessary, and this operation wassuccessfully performed. Upon inquiry at the Hospital yes-* terday we were informed that Smith’s condition is satisfactory, and that he i* making such progress as, under the .; circumstances, could be expected. Very general sympathy is extended to Mrs Smith, who, we understand, is an invalid, and to the members of the family, who are:wellknown at Thames,