Mr. J. S. Clipson, ex-chairman of the Rushden Urban Council, accompanied by his son, Master Lindsey Clipson, motored over to Sywell on Saturday afternoon to inspect the waterworks, and on reaching Rushden on the return journey – about 6 p.m. – they had a very unpleasant experience.

The car was proceeding along High-street, from the railway bridge to the centre of the town, at a gentle pace.  Opposite Mr. Walpole Smith’s baker’s shop two dogs were quarrelling over a bone, and when the motor came up, one of the dogs, a large animal, jumped straight into one of the wheels of the car.  As a result the machine twisted at right angles, and the two front wheels struck the kerbstones.  The first impact, when the dog jumped into the wheel, partially unseated Mr. Clipson, who, fortunately had the presence of mind to disconnect the engine; and the second jar when the wheels struck the kerb, threw him clean out of the vehicle.  Happily, Mr. Clipson, almost instinctively, threw out his hands and broke the fall, or his head might have struck the pavement.  As it was, his wrists were severely strained and he sustained several bruises.  Master L. Clipson was not hurt in any way.  The car was damaged to the extent of £6 or £7 including a good lamp, worth £3/10/-, which was smashed against the wall of Messrs. Roe Bros’ premises.  The front wheels of the car were bent.  No damage was done to Messrs. Roe’s premises, against which the car collided.  The dog, which was the cause, ran off howling, but it was not much injured.

In the course of a few minutes Mr. Clipson was able to remount the machine and to drive home, though he accomplished the journey with some difficulty.  He is now going on very nicely.

It is a peculiar coincidence that before starting the return journey from Sywell Mr. Clipson pointed out to his son that by the time they reached Rushden – as shown by the odometer, which indicates the distance covered – he would have ridden exactly 4,000 miles in that car; and, as a matter of fact, Mr. Clipson, who is known as a most careful motorist, had (within a few yards) just covered the 4,000 miles in that motor, without a single mishap of any kind, when the unfortunate accident occurred.  With other machines Mr. Clipson’s motoring distance stands at 12,000 miles.