Sunday, August 6, 2023

Parents Killed, Their Seven Children Injured in Car Accident, Aug. 5, 1923

Automobile Goes Off Embankment. . . South Carolina Couple Killed and Children Hurt in Western North Carolina

By the Associated Press

Asheville, N.C., Aug. 5—Mr. and Mrs. Smith White of Jonesville, S.C., were instantly killed and their seven children, ranging in age from eight months to 17 years, escaped with minor injuries, when an automobile in which they were riding plunged over an 80-foot embankment near Green river this afternoon about 5 o’clock.

The accident happened about four miles from Saluda on the road to Hendersonville and according to police officers at the former place, the automobile passed on the edge of a precipice, which gave way, causing the machine to fall to the river bed, estimated at between 80 and 90 feet.

The car turned over several times before crashing on the rocks below and was almost completely demolished.

The injured children were rushed to the infants and children’s hospital at Saluda and given medical attention.

The Injured:

John H. White, age 17, driver of the car, severely bruised.

Lucy, age 14, scalp wounds.

Jaunita, age 12, body bruises and possibly broken ribs.

W.C., age eight, slightly bruised.

Frances, age five, arm broken and body bruises.

Pearl, age three, nose broken and cut about the face.

H. Smith Jr., age eight months, hurt about the head and face.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Monday, August 6, 1923. Perhaps Juaita in the newspaper report was supposed to Juanita? The one I imagine having the most trouble following the accident would be the 17-year-old son, who was driving the car that killed his parents.

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