Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 03 June 1932
A Wombwell Thrill
Car Runs Away With Infant
Remarkable Escape
A large saloon car rushing down a steep hill with only a child inside, a number of people standing by helpless while the car continued its wild career, a crash at the bottom that smashed in the car front and carried away a heavy brick wall with the iron railings surrounding it!
This hectic episode was enacted in Pearson Field, Wombwell, on Sunday afternoon. The child was practically unhurt. The car was irreparably damaged.
The car belonged to Mr W. Hardman of New Inn, Pearson Field. Wombwell and is used for public hire. It had been left standing in the street near the public-house. Unnoticed, the child climbed inside and, it is believed, released the brake. When the child was dragged out of the car he was identified as Donald William Swift, aged 1 years, son of George Arthur Swift, glass worker. 29, Barnsley Road, Wombwell. He had been staying with his grandmother. Mrs. Scargill, who lives in Pearson Field.
The hill is one of the steepest in Wombwell, and is a cul de sac with a garden wall at the bottom. The car finished in the garden, overturning and smashing a kennel from which the dog had just scampered.
Arthur Gallear of 62. Pearson Field, said he was looking through the front window with a neighbour, Joe Kaye, when they saw the car pass. Believing that it had broken away, they rushed out and followed the vehicle to where it was wrecked. They were amazed to find the child practically unhurt under the dashboard. Except for a black eye and a scratch on his nose the child was no worse.