Rushden Echo & Argus, 6th May 1932, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Men in Lorry Crash
Terrible Accident Near Monmouth - Imprisoned in Cab for Two Hours
Dramatic rescue scenes were enacted near Monmouth, South Wales, yesterday week following a motor accident in which two Rushden men had remarkable escapes from death.
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Mr Freeman and Mr Waller
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They were Sidney Ernest Freeman (28), of Queen-street, Rushden, and Sidney Waller (32), of Victoria-road, Rushden, and they were in charge of a six wheel lorry conveying a load of boots and shoes from Northampton to Newport.
The vehicle skidded when near Monmouth at a place called Gwelhelog, descended a bank and turned over, a telegraph post piercing the cab and crushing the occupants. The crash was heard by a cyclist, who hurried on to Usk, a mile away, and summoned ambulance men, doctors and other helpers.
Waller, with both thighs fractured, had to be drugged while several men worked two hours to release him. Freeman, the driver, was underneath his mate and had to wait some time before his right foot could be freed.
The telegraph post concertinaed the petrol tank, and both men were soaked in petrol, which began to smoke but fortunately failed to ignite.
Both men were taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, where Waller is still detained. Freeman who returned to Rushden on Saturday night, has a crushed right foot and injuries to both legs. He has been fairly comfortable, however, although suffering from shock, and could remember little of the accident after the lorry skidded.
Mr Waller underwent an operation on Monday evening, and his condition is since reported as satisfactory.
There are no internal injuries and the fractures are plain. He has been very cheerful and was visited by his wife on the day following the accident and his mother and sister left to see him during the week-end.
Mr Jack Scroxton, of Messrs. Scroxton and Sons Ltd., Higham Ferrers, the owners of the lorry, visited Newport and saw Waller in hospital.
The lorry was extensively damaged.
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