Western Daily Press 27 Feb 1866: Master of Trinity severe accident

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO THE MASTER OF TRINITY.

CAMBRIDGE, Sunday afternoon. —The Rev. The Master of Trinity sustained a severe accident yesterday, an accident that, at the present writing, is to be greatly feared will result in the loss of one of the brightest ornaments of this University. The Rev. Dr. Whewell, it would appear, had been entertaining visitors at the Lodge, including a party of ladies. Yesterday afternoon a party of ladies proceeded for a drive in the master’s open carriage, coachman and footman attendant. The master accompanied the party, he being on horseback, and riding a horse that has carried him for about 11 years. At about half-past 4 o’clock the carriage was being driven at the rate of between six and seven miles an hour, and on return to Cambridge, between Shelford and Trumpington about 300 yards from the bridge crossing of the Cambridge and Bedford line, Mrs Stuart Douglas called the servant’s attention to the master. It would seem that the master was then unseated and hanging to the horse’s neck, and as the horse passed the carriage the master fell on his head: the horse, in passing on, threw the body over, and when taken up the rev. master’s head was doubled underneath him. He was placed in his carriage, and conveyed with all speed to Cambridge, the aid of Dr. Paget and Dr. Humphrey (both of whom fortunately lived in the line of route to Trinity Lodge) being summoned on the way. The result was found to be that the master — who was insensible when taken up, and has remained almost so ever since — is suffering from severe concussion of the brain, and is in a very dangerous state.