ALDINGTON, SERIOUS GUN ACCIDENT
A serious accident occurred to Arthur Hawker, aged 22, labourer, at Aldington on Sunday last. It appears that a young man named Harwood was bird minding and carried a gun under his left arm. Hawker was about a yard in front, and by some accident the weapon exploded, lodging the charge above the elbow of his right arm, shattering the bone, and tearing the soft parts. Two other men who were near had a narrow escape from being injured. Corporal Allard was driving to the volunteer church parade and fortunately passed the scene of the accident soon after the occurrence. He immediately bound a tight ligature round the injured limb, and successfully stopped the bleeding, afterwards conveying the sufferer in his trap to Evesham. Mr H K Haynes was at once in attendance, and had the patient removed to the Cottage Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the limb near the shoulder. There is little doubt that, but for Corporal Allard’s prompt action, the accident must have resulted fatally, and it should be stated that he was one of the pupils who gained a certificate while attending Mr H E Haynes’ ambulance class about two years ago. Hawker is progressing favourably.