SLEIGH ACCIDENT TO ROYALTY AT CANADA.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 7 May 1880, Page 2

SLEIGH ACCIDENT TO ROYALTY AT CANADA.

The Vice-regal sleigh, a covered one, containing His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Her Royal Highness *he Princess Louise, the Hon. Mrs Langham, and Colonel M'Neill, left Government House shortly before 9 o'clock, en route for ti>e Senate Chamber in the House of Parlia* ment. In driving dawn the avenue the horses became unruly, and by the time they reached the lodge at the main entrance were completely out of thft control of the eachnian Slad<>. It appenrs that Stade qaisfi one rein to the foottiin, retaining the other himself, and in turning the corner just outside the main gate the footman pulled too strongly on the rein he held, causing the sleigh to swins round with great force, and the runner of the sleigh coming into conraet with a lump of ice, unset the sleigh, sending the coachman and footman flying into a snow bank. The infuriated horses increased tlteir pace and drasred the sleigh on its side a distance of 400 yards, the Vicerpgal party being still inside and unable to escape. Just before reaching the bridge over the Rideau Eiver, the Hon W. Bagot, A.D.C., who with the Hon. C. Harbord, A.P.C., and a groom, oeeu pied an open sleigh in front of the Viceregal parry, observed what he thought to be a farmer's team daslu'ng towards them and said " Pall qp on one side, Charlie, or el<e this runaway will be into us '' Just then Mr Bagot recognised the horses, and exclaiming, " Great God ! its the Pi'ineess,'' jumped from bis seat in the sleigh, seiaed the near horse by the bead, and succeeded in checking the speed of the animals sufficiently to enable the groom from Mr Harbord's sleigh to get at the bead of the other horse, when, by their united efforts, they pre* vented what in all probability would otherwise have been a fatal runaway accident. The occupants of the overturned sle-gh were at once assisted out, and the «leiL'l) righted. They were then driven to Ri«leau Hall, and a messenger des. patched for Dr. Grant, who, on reaching the Hall, found that Her Royal Highness had received a con*u«ii>n on the right side of the head, and the lobe of Hie right ear was also cut. The Hon. M^s Langbam was very much bruis<d on tli< left arm, and His Excellency reeei ed a severe contusion on the forehead. When the sleigh upset, Colonel M'Neill managed to get his arm round Her Royal Highness, and held her up as much as possible, which accounts for her injuries not being more severe. Mr Bagot's conduct was exceedingly plucky, and in consequence of a kick from one of the horses be can onl<- limr about in a most painful manner. H"r Royal Highnes* is pro-g-PSH■■■a r-rv fnvnnihlv. S->e lost several <>f L'M w MnionrU s.irn.* of whicii were foun I m.thP sle-^ii f.bt 8