Three Midget Cars Collide; Man Badly Hurt

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 November 1948, Page 5

Three Midget Cars Collide; Man Badly Hurt

PALMERSTON N., Last Night (PA).-—Three midget racing can were involved in a spectacular crash at the Palmerston North speedwayj last night. The driver of one wai seriously injured when his cat rammed an iron post at high speed and overturned on top of him. He was Robert Paton, single, aged 42, who is a farmer at Reid’s Line, Aorangi, Feilding. He received a fractured spine, a fractured right forearm, and concussion. His condition tonight was fair. The accident occurred when the cars were emerging from a bend at the city end of the showgrounds. Car 93, driven by Mr. Noel Bird, took the corner at a fast pace, the rear sliding around too far and causing Bird to .swing to the track on to the grass edge. He regained control and swung out on to the track again at the beginning of the straight. Car 15, driven by Colwyn Ingram, was very close beside car 93 and as Bird regained the track the two cars became locked together. Ingram attempted to pull aside from the other car and out into the centre of the track. Paton was coming around the corner at a terric speed and he had no chance of avoiding Ingram’s car. He hit the rear of cpr 15 and cannoned from that on to the fence without having a chance to diminish his speed. The stricken car leapt into the air to a height above the fence and struck about four feet up on a railway iron post which is used for carrying lighting and broadcasting wires. The car then fell down, wheels upper most and flames shooting from the exhause, the engine roaring madly. Wires from the post snapped and showered the area with sparks. Within 20 seconds of Paton hitting the post all the other cars in the race stopped, and drivers, accompanied by Red Cross and St. John Ambulance attendants, raced to the spot. Paton was lying in the car which was on its back, his right arm trapped under the side of the vehicle. It took the combined efforts of several men to lift it so he could be extricated. He was carried to the centre of the track while officials and drivers formed a ring around the position to enable the ambulance men to do their work. The car was wrecked. Despite warnings from officials, the crowd pressed about the vehicle in semi-darkness in front of the main stand. It was almost impossible to see trailing live wires and it was merely good fortune which prevented electrocution. Small girls and boys swarmed over the track and watched the work of the ambulance men until chased away. Paton was taken to thp Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance. Eight laps of the 15-iap race was re-run Mr. Pa ton has no near relatives in the district. His next of kin was given as Mrs. D. Russ, R.D., Richmond, Nelson. She is believed to be a sister.