NEWPORT BUS TOPPLES OVER IN FIELD
-o-
TWELVE PEOPLE INJURED
-o-
SCREAMING WOMEN AND SPLINTERING GLASS
-o-
PASSENGERS ESCAPE BY EMERGENCY DOOR
-o-

"A Newport Corporation Omnibus, in which were a dozen passengers, shot around on the wet greasy surface of the Newport - Caerleon road on Saturday night, and crashing through a hedge, toppled on its side into a muddy field four feet below.

Most passengers received minor injuries - it was remarkable that they escaped so lightly. The driver's cabin was smashed and splintered, but apart from shock and bruises and cuts, the driver was not hurt. The passengers were extracted through and emergency door at the rear of the 'bus.

NEAR CAERLEON BRIDGE

The accident happened on the straight stretch of road between St Julian's Park and Caerleon Bridge and about 130 yards on the Newport side of the bridge. The bus was travelling towards Caerleon, and after the accident it came to rest on its side facing Newport, partly in a shallow, water-filled ditch, fifty yards from the banks of the River Usk.

DOCTOR SUMMONED

A passing motorist, Colonel Blethyn T. Rees, of Caerleon, a member of Caerleon Council, summoned Dr W H Reynolds of Caerleon, and telephoned the police. When Dr Reynolds arrived at the scene of the accident the passengers had crawled out of the 'bus or had been dragged clear.

The most seriously injured passenger was Mrs William Fisher, whose arm was badly cut. She had been sitting directly behind the driver, facing the rear of the 'bus. Another passenger, Mr E G Jones, of Duffryn, Ponthir, who like the conductor Mr William Henry Corbin of Frobisher Road, Newport, was unhurt, tried to staunch the flow of blood from Mrs Fisher's arm with a handkerchief. Later, Mrs Fisher and the other injured passengers were conveyed in cars to Dr Reynolds' surgery at Caerleon. Some travelled in Dr. Reynolds' car. Three stitches were inserted in each of two deep cuts in Mrs Fisher's arm and she was later taken home.

Newport Borough police lost no time in answering the call for assistance. Inspector E Rowthorn and PS Briggs, PS Newton and PC Taylor went to the scene, as also did PC E Hourihane and PC E Pugh, of Caerleon. After them rushed the Deputy Chief Constable of Newport, Superintendent CM Harris, and other members of the borough force some of whom were off duty at the time. Mr NJ Young, Tramways Manager, also went to the scene of the accident."

AMONG THOSE ON THE BUS WERE :

Mr William Fisher, Church Street Caerleon, cut head, hand and knee, and bruised ribs.

Mrs William Fisher, Church Street Caerleon, cuts to arm, including cut artery and shock.

Sidney Jones, aged 8, Caerleon, cuts and bruises.

Mr Daniel James, 76 Christchurch Road, Newport, injured shoulder and cuts.

Miss Hall, Ship Cottage, Caerleon, cut to head.

Mrs Phillips, Great Bullmoor Farm, Caerleon, shock and bruises.

Mrs Phillips, Old Kemeys House, Bullmoor Road, Caerleon, cuts, shock and bruises.

Miss Rose Dixon, Caerleon Village, bruised shoulder.

Mr William Alfred East, 108 Redland Street, Newport, the driver, bruises and cuts.

Mr William Henry Corbin, Frobisher Road, Newport, conductor, unhurt.

Mrs E G Jones, Duffryn, Ponthir. unhurt.

Amazingly none of those on the bus were taken to hospital. All the injured were treated by Dr Reynolds in his Caerleon surgery!