MOTOR ACCIDENT

Western Star, 12 November 1909, Page 2

MOTOR ACCIDENT

un Monday, Ist November, 10J .shocking accident occurred at Melbourne to a motor c a r which was returning iron* I'.ri ,bU.>n. The ear contained Mrs G. Un (licensee of the Orfiord Hotel), Mr Mar tin. Leen, Mr John Griffin .(licensee'of 'the Railway Hotel, NiightoaPs,who is spending a holiday in Meltvourne, and Miss -Minnie Burke. Tlie party had beeti on a visit to Brighton, and were returning to the city via St Kilda. They had nearly convicted crossing the Elwood Swamp by the tram tracu, and were about 150 yards away from Dickens street, into which they would have' to turn from the swamp road, when the car struck o ne of the standards in'the road way. It was the fourth from the Die--kens street corner. The car with terrific force ran up it for about sc-.on feet., a iud turned a complete soni trsault, landing in .a heap 06ft. awiay. Some of the party were, thrown oiut, arid others were imprisoned beneath the car. Amongst, the latter -wias Miss Minnie Burke.

The' first assistance came with, the arrival a minute later of the last electric tram to Brighton. Among » the passengers on the car was Dr Gerald Wcioiall's trained' nurse, who with her frSend at once devoted her axfpert attention to Miss'Burke. The unfortunate young woman was still breathing," 'but her injuries were of a terrible nature. From two great gashes in the f<i\h ad blood streamed, and the hack citho head w a s almlost pulp. A miotor car driMcn'by Mr Moss was at oftc© •topatched for medical aid. In a very.l fi'W. minutes the car returned with. Dr G-. Weigoll.' IHi's first duty was 'to pronounce Mi'ste Burke dead. In the meantime the others, who had not been thrown clear of the car, were helped out from amongst the bloodstained mass of cushions, tyres, and. glass. A hasty examination showed thai Mrs Leen was injured in the ack and also about the face ;Mr .d'iffih was badly cut about the,head ; ! Mr Lcen was also in great pain, and young William Keating was a sufferer. The St. KiMa police took charge of the sufferers, who, in addition to Dr Weigall, had the oare of Drs Dane and Laurie.

Tiie noise of the ' collision between . the car and t'ho standard was so groat thai the attention of residents living around' the spot was attracted. G tid hundreds were soon on the scene. ,Eyc witnesses declare that the car is smashed to pieces. The body of Miss Burk© was removed by the St. Kilda police to th'? Morgue. The gashes on her foiiehead were caused by the breaking of the glass wind-screen, a piece of which struck her in the -temple. None of .the others were very seriously injured all being able to return to their 'home. Their escape is 'thought to have been largely due to the fact that the hlaod. of the car was up, and saved them when the car turned, over.