SERIOUS BUGGY ACCIDENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7679, 1 February 1904, Page 5

SERIOUS BUGGY ACCIDENT.

Mr and Mrs John Macßae in a Critical State.

Medical Aid Summoned from

Wellington.

A serious accident occurred on the Masterton-Bediford-road, about eleven miles from Masterton, on Saturday evening, at about half-past six, whereby several occupants of a buggy were seriously injured. The buggy was being driven by Mr John Macßae, manager of Bowlands Station, and the other occupants were: Mrs Macßae and three children (Misses Alice and Mona and Master lan Macßae), and Mr Fitzgerald, of Wellington. When going down a very steep hill approaching Bridge Creek (about 300 yards from the bridge), a dog rushed out at tne horses, which immediately took fright, and started at full speed down the hill. Mr Macßae applied the brake, which, however, was unequal to the Btrain, and snapped. He still continued to use his best efforts to check the horses in their mad gallop, but he was unable to do so, and the buggy crashed violently into the bridge which spans the creek at the foot of the hill. Three of the six occupants—the Misses Macßae and Mr Fitzgerald—fortunately escaped with only a few bruises and a severe shaking, bun Mrs Macßae and the boy lan, who is only about three years old, were thrown violently against the bridge, and sustained severe injuries. Mr Macßae was also injured internally. Dr. Butement, of Masterton, was at once communicated with, and proceeded, post baste, to tbe scene of the accident, and found Mr and Mrs Macßae and the boy lan in so serious a condition that, upon his advice, an urgent message was despatched for Dr. Martin, of Wellington, who, accompanied by a trained nurse, arrived in Masterton yesterday afternoon by special train. Doctor and nurse were met at the railway station, proceeding forthwith on their journey. On arriving at Taueru a relay buggy was in readiness, and all possible speed was made in reaching the unfortunate sufferers. The child lan was found to be in a fair way to recovery, but the condition of the parents is extremely critical. They were both conveyed to Masterton to-day, to Mr Norman Beetham's residence, at Lansdowne. Mrs Macßae is the eldest daughter of Mr H. S. Wardell, and a sister to Mrs N. Beetbam, who was completely prostrated on learning of the sad occurrence.