SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT KAWA.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 34, 11 August 1911, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT KAWA.

A very serious accident occurred at Kawa on Wednesday, when Mr W. J. Ranby of Ohaupo was severely kicked in the face by a horse he was driving. It appears that earlier in the day Mr Ranby and a friend had driven to attend a sale at Kawa, on completion of which they were returning to their homes, when the horse became unmanageable. Kicking the front out of the'vehicle, the horse’s hoof struck Mr Ranby full on the face throwing him insensible to the ground. His companion was also thrown out by the force of the blow. Mr Ranby was conveyed to Te Awaniutu in semi conscious condition, where his injuries were attended to by Dr Reekie. It was found necessary to convey him to the Hamilton Hospital, to which institution he was removed as soon as all possible relief had been effected. Arriving at the hospital chloroform was administered by Dr Reekie, while Drs Douglas and Reece operated. It was found that the bridge of the nose was completely broken, and the face and forehead bruised considerably. Both of the eyeballs were ruptured, and it was found necessary to remove the right eyeball. The left eye was stitched up,, but it is feared that the in-jur-ies are so severe that this eye also will have to be removed. In any case the injured man will be totally blind. Although under choloform for four hours the patient passed a good night, and yesterday morning was reported to be in comparatively little pain. Up to the present he is making as much progress towards recovery as can be expected. Mr Ranby is a very well known and highly respected resident of Ohaupo, and has many friends throughout the district all of whom express the deepest regret at the unfortunate accident which befel him. On the evening of the accident about fifty friends of Mr Ranby had, at his invitation, met at his residence for a friendly evening. The party met and were totally unaware that so serious an accident had befallen their host, and much surprise and regret was expressed when the fact became known yesterday morning.