Bury Free Press 22 Mar 1884: Neville Holmes injured by runaway horse

An accident of a serious nature occurred on Saturday last, in Cambridge, to Mr. Neville Holmes, son of Mr. Robert Holmes, the well-known horse dealer, of Trumpington. Mr. Holmes on his arrival at the railway station got into a dog-cart drawn by a spirited horse which was in waiting, and started townwards. He had hardly started when the horse took fright at something, and started off at a furious pace. Mr. Holmes kept his seat, and made strenuous efforts to bring the animal in order, but in vain; but he succeeded by most dexterous driving in avoiding the trams and other vehicles he met and passed until he arrived nearly opposite the Savings’ Bank in Sidney-street. Here fortune was against him, and the trap came into collision with a cart, the property of Messrs. Bond and Holmes, grocers; the result was that Mr. Holmes was thrown out, and falling upon his head was rendered insensible; he was taken up and conveyed into the Savings’ Bank, where he was restored to consciousness in about an hour, by the attention of Dr. Adams and his assistant. Mr. Holmes was then conveyed to his brother’s in Tibbs’-row, and according to the latest inquiries was progressing favourably. The shafts of the vehicle Mr. Holmes had been in were broken off, and the horse, released, continued his course a little further, but was soon stopped, and so rendered to reason that he was ridden saddle-backed to Trumpington shortly afterwards. Mr. Holmes’ hat probably averted fatal consequences; as it was, his forehead was cut, and it will be some time before he can resume his usual avocations.