School Bus And Car Collide, 12 People Hurt

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1948, Page 5

School Bus And Car Collide, 12 People Hurt

GISBORNE, Last Night (P.A.) Twelve persons were injured, four fairlly seriously, in a head on collision between a school bus and a private car on a bend near Whangara, on the east, coast road, late on Saturday afternoon. A bus, driven by Mr. W. J. Walsh, with 17 passengers, five adults and 12 school children, was returning to Tolaga Bay from the Gisborne Show and the car, a coupe driven by Mr. O. G. James, junior, garage proprietor, of Tolaga Bay, containing four Hastings visitors, was returning to Gisborne from Tolaga Bay. The car was practically —recked by the impact, the bus riding up on top of the coupe, which was stove in right to the dashboard. The car passengers had miraculous escapes. All the seats in the bus collapsed, and the passengers were flung about inside. The majority escaped with minor cuts, abrasions, and shock. First aid was rendered on the spot by a Tolaga Bay chemist, Mr. J. Gardiner. who reached Ihe scene within a few minutes of the crash. The injured were moved to the Whangara Hotel, which resembled a casualty clearing station. Considerable delay was experienced in summoning a doctor because the hotel is without a telephone, and a half-mile trip had to be made to reach a phone and call medical aid.

The injured, who are in hospital, are: Leslie Walter Lange, of Hastings; Rubv Waiwai and Helen Graham, school girls, and Newton 11. Wilson, of Tolaga Buy. The condition of all is described by the hospital as comfortable Others who suffered minor injuries. cuts, and shock, are: Leonard E. Baker, of Hastings. Norman Lawrence, Grace Haere, Phyllis Kearney, Mary Teniha, Andrew J. Graham, all of Tolaga Bay. The car driver (Mr. James), suffered minor cuts on an arm. Bruce 11. Thomson and Joseph