Startling Accident Near Rushden
Motor 'Bus Wheel Comes Off
Raunds Passengers Shaken

A startling incident occurred to one of the Wellingborough Co.’s motor ’buses, travelling from Raunds to Wellingborough on Monday afternoon. The vehicle, in which were about dozen passengers, was descending the hill just past the Oakley, Rushden, on the Wellingborough-road, when one of the back wheels suddenly came off. The rear of the ’bus on that side dropped to the road, but the drop was only a short one owing to the fact that inside the wheel is the drum which contains the brake.

As the ’bus bumped along the road the passengers got a considerable shaking up, but the driver, realising what was the matter, promptly applied the brakes, and the ’bus was brought to a stand very quickly. The passengers were carried to their destination by another ’bus which was coming from Wellingborough to Rushden.

The accident occurred at a spot where there were no room for the latter to pass the disabled ’bus, so it returned to Wellingborough.

Alarming Accident at Rushden
Trolley Smashed Into Splinters
By A Motor Van

A trolley belonging to Mr. Samuel Winsor, greengrocer, etc., of High-street South, Rushden, was smashed into splinters on Monday afternoon.

Mr. Winsor had gone into the Coffee Tavern, leaving the trolley in High-street, with the horse looking towards the Post Office. Three other vehicles were near-by, including Mr. Mepham’s laundry van (which was in front of the trolley) and a baker’s cart on the opposite side of the road.

Mr. Warren, driver of Mr. Mepham’s van, had pulled his horse round with the intention of passing between the trolley and the baker’s cart when he noticed a motor van, belonging to Messrs. Westley Bros., curriers of Odell, come round the Church-street corner and up the High-street towards him. Realising that there was no room for the motor vehicle to get through, Mr. Warren put up has hand to signal the driver of the motor van to stop.

This Messrs. Westley’s driver attempted to do, we understand, but, probably owing to the heaviness of the load on the motor van, the brakes were insufficient to stop the momentum, although the speed was reduced to a walking pace. Realising that he must either collide with Mr. Mepham’s horse or Mr. Winsor’s trolley, the driver chose the latter, with the result that Mr. Winsor’s horse was knocked on to the pavement, and the trolley was smashed beyond the possibilities of repair. The side lamp and hooter of the motor van were both badly bent, and the right mudguard was smashed, but beyond that it suffered no damage.

Mr. Winsor had not been in the Coffee Tavern more than two minutes, we understand, when the smash occurred. Hearing the noise of the collision he rushed out, and seeing his mare lying with her head against the Coffee Tavern step, he leapt upon her head at once, before she had time to attempt to rise.

The confusion was increased by the frightened cries of a fowl which had been upon Mr. Winsor’s trolley with its legs tied, and the flappings of the bird attracted a couple of dogs, which quickly joined in the fray, disputing the possession of the bird, and things for a time were exceedingly lively.