ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3502, 29 November 1913, Page 2

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] ASHBURTON, Nov. 28. A peculiar motor accident occurred on the Main North Road about three miles south- of Rakaia this afternoon. Two cars, each containing two persons, were being driven through from Christchurch to Dunedin. The foremost car had just run through a water race when a dray driven tandem was met. The driver of the first ear sounded his horn, hut this evidently caused the nervous leading horse to plu’nge about the roadway, finally running straight in front of the car. The driver of the ear, in order to avoid a collision, turned aside and was forced to travel over the tussocks, but the roughness of tho ground caused the; car to capsize and it fell on the leg of the driver, hut then a miracle happened, for the car righted itself again almost in a second. The car running behind had a narrow escape from collision, a.s the overturned car had thoroughly frightened the horses and after they had plunged about for a moment or two they turned and bolted towards Ashburton.

The- occupants of the overturned car had a severe shaking, but their friends in the other machine were able to render- first aid. Tho driver was found to have broken the small bone in. his leg, and also to have burst a vein. His companion was severely bruised about the body. The car, which was a big new one, suffered a smashed windscreen, while the two front wheels were bent at. an outwards angle and the mud-guards ami the body were bent and dented.