THE AKAROA COACH ACCIDENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6125, 11 March 1898, Page 2

THE AKAROA COACH ACCIDENT.

_Il^V.l_- ___-< A. ♦' On further inquiry it appears that th< accident to the Akaroa coach, by which Mt Henry Gyles Turner was seriously injured, hardly occurred as stated. The real cause of the accident was an accidental slip ol the driver's foot. The rain was coming down heavily, and as the driver was stooping to get a parcel out of the boot for Mr Glynan, he leaned forward. The foot-rest on the brake lever was rendered greasy by the rain> and the driver's foot slipped *. momentarily therefrom. The weight of .-the coa.ch coming suddenly on the wheelers gave them a start, they,got out of has_, and ran two wheels of the coach over the bank. The driver managed to get the coach on the road again,- but it had too much way on it to be readily steered, and. getting over the bank altogether, it capsized as has been stated. An attempt was made yesterday evening to bring. Mr Turner in to Chmtehurcb, and for that purpose a special train was engaged, and left .for '.Little River with the Christchurch ambulance van on board. Mr Styche accompanied the A r an in place of Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, who, had he recovered from his own injuries, would have endeavoured to personally assist his late fellow-passenger. The ambulance van duly reached Mr Fahey's house, but Dr Morris, who was in attendance, did not consider his patient in a fit state to be removed, and the special train had to come back without him. It left Little River at nine o'clock, and arrived at the Christchurch station at about 10.30 p.m. Mr Turner felt consider-ably better during yesterday, but is still in a very precarious condition. It is probable that Dr Morris will call in other medical men to-day for consultation. Mr Turner is a very old colonist, and arrived in Melbourne in the year 1854. Shortly after landing he received an appointment in the Melbourne branch of the Bank of Australasia. In 1870 Mr Turner accepted the chief management of the Commercial Bank of Australia, and he holds that position to the present day. He is one of the highest authorities on finance in the Australasian Colonies. Mr Turner was one of the editors of the Melbourne Review, and in addition to being a clever magazine writer he is a valued contributor to current journalism. Mr Turner is in his sixtyeighth year.