Accidents in Rushden in October 1923

October 1923 was a month for accidents in Rushden. A four year old girl, who lived in Cromwell Road, ran out into the Newton Road straight in front of a car. The driver of the car, who was said to be very careful and skilful, had no chance of avoiding her and she was caught by the mudguard and dragged several yards before the car could be stopped. The child had received a blow to the head and was unconscious. She was also cut and bruised. The driver put the little girl into his car and drove into Rushden to find a doctor. He was directed to the home of Staff-Sergt. Prigmore, of the St. John Ambulance Division, who accompanied them to Dr. Muriset’s surgery. The doctor ordered the little girl to be taken to Northampton Hospital without delay. Staff-Sergt. Prigmore was the transport officer and the child was taken to Northampton in the Rushden Ambulance motor. Inquiries from Rushden the next day found that the little girl had spent a comfortable night and was a little better.

A slightly less serious accident happened at the junction of Station Road and Wellingborough Road when two motor cyclists collided. One of the riders was trying to avoid a ‘push’ cyclist and the two motor cycles collided head on. One of the riders suffered cuts and bruises and shock but the other one was unhurt. Both machines were badly damaged.

In another incident, two children, aged seven and four, who lived in Glassbrook Road, were listening to the Mission Band playing near the Co-operative Store in Wellingborough Road. They ran into the road just as a car was passing and the driver was unable to avoid them. The car passed over the children but fortunately the wheels did not touch them. The children were carried into a nearby house and then the motorist drove them home. The boy suffered from concussion and the little girl had a cut leg and bruises. Dr. Davies attended, and in a day or two the children had fully recovered.

Broken shafts and harness, and the scattering of bread and flour was the extent of the damage in another accident which took place in Cromwell Road, Rushden. Two bakers, Mr. Harris, of Newton Road, and Mr. Walpole Smith, of High Street, had vehicles in Cromwell Road. The man in charge of Mr. Harris’s cart got into the cart, and as he did so something broke and frightened the horse. The animal bolted and collided with the other horse and cart, and a motorist near the scene had to swerve to avoid another collision. Bread and flour from Mr. Harris’s cart was scattered about the road, and the tackle was broken. The shafts and harness of Mr. Smith’s cart and horse were also broken. Neither of the drivers was hurt.