20 MAJOR OPERATIONS AFTER BUS ACCIDENT; ONE PASSENGER DIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 4

20 MAJOR OPERATIONS AFTER BUS ACCIDENT; ONE PASSENGER DIES

WESTPORT. Yesterday (P.A.)— The bus which was involved in the smash at Karamea on Saturday, injuring 27 and causing the death of one passenger in„hospital was travelling at a comfortable speed on a good flat road when it suddenly plunged into a bank, throwing the nassengers into confusion.

The driver, Mr. Jack Kelly, was thrown through the windscreen and two other occupants of the front seat suffered a similar misfortune. So sudden and forceful was the impact that back seat passengers were lifted near to the front of the vehicle. The bonnet of the vehicle was thrust deep into the clay bank, but the rear must have been lifted clean around until the bus finished up across the road.

Immediately on advice being received at the Buller Hospital the medical superintendent. Dr. D. R. Ryder, made arrangements for admission of the injured excursionists. All available ambulances in the Buller, district were dispatched to the scene with medical officers and nurses, while lorries, a mine van at Granity, and private cars were also made use of to bring the injured to Westport.

A call was sent out for blood donors and nursing assistance and they were responded to almost immediately. Blood and plasma were on hand. A record number of X-ray examinations were made and an extra theatre was quickly fitted. An idea of the theatre work is shown by the fact that 20 major operations were performed between 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, while 28 patients in all were attended to for fractures and other injuries, besides seven who were released after treatment for less serious complaints. The revised casualty list is:— DIED IN HOSPITAL. . Alfred Nuttall, married, blacksmith, of Hector, well-known in band circles, who suffered penetrating wounds to the chest and lung. Other casualties, all from Granity or Hector, were:— CONDITION SERIOUS. Mrs. R. Petrie, severe head injuries, fractured spine. Mrs. A. Mann, head injuries, fracture of the left arm. Mrs. F. Hansen, multiple compound fractures. ■ Mrs. P. Power, multiple lacerations, concussion. CONDITION SATISFACTORY. Mrs. H. Masterton, multiple lacerations. Miss June Mann, multiple lacerations. Master Leslie Goodall, multiple lacerations. Donald Bell, fracture and dislocation of shoulder. Keith Dixon, multiple lacerations. Master Robert Pratt, incised wound in leg. Master Michael Easton, multiple lacerations, concussion. Colin Hovvatt, concussion. K. Armstrong, fracture of lower Donald Easton, concussion. Ambrose Coe, multiple lacerations. Arthur Mann, incised wound in foot. Morris Kelly, multiple lacerations. Master Joseph Easton, fracture of forearm. George Moffatt, incised wound, lower leg. William Moffatt, concussion. Master Reginald Collins, fracture of upper arm. H. J. Shaw, multiple contusions. Jack Kelly, multiple wounds, fracture of wrist. Vernon Goodall, concussion, multiple lacerations. George Tyler, fracture of collarbone. George Ewan, fracture and dislocation of right hip. Master lan Bell, fractured wrist.