South Yorkshire Times, September 8th, 1933
Swinton Family’s Mishap
Serious Motor Accident in France
Doctor’s Wife and Daughters
Car Wrecked Against a Tree
Serious Injuries
Mrs. Hatherley, wife of Dr. S. 0. Hatherley, Cliff Field House, Swinton, and three of their daughters, Dr. Edith Hatherley, Dr. Bessie Hatherley, and Mrs. A. J. Dignam, were involved in a serious motor accident on Monday morning, while touring through France to Switzerland. The accident occurred near Dole, in the Jura Mountains, not far from the Swiss border. Mrs. Hatherley and Miss Edith Hatherley were seriously hurt, Miss Bessie Hatherley suffered a fracture of the ankle, and Mrs. Dignam escaped unhurt. The injured ladies were taken to a surgical clinic at Dole, where they remain. Latest reports indicate that Mrs. Hatherley’s condition is grave, Miss Edith Hatherley has made some progress towards recovery, but is still not out of danger, and Miss Bessie Hatherley is doing well. Mrs. Hatherley is suffering from a fractured skull, a fracture of the upper jaw, and a fracture of the arm. Miss Edith Hatherley has a fracture at the base of the skull and broken ribs. Miss Bessie Hatherley, in addition to a fractured ankle, has scalp wounds. Mrs. Dignam is suffering from shock.
The ladies were on a holiday tour to Switzerland, and left Swinton on Friday afternoon about 1-30 in the Misses Hatherley’s car, a 10 h.p. Lanchester saloon. They were delayed by carburettor trouble near Brentwood, and reached Rochester on Friday night, going on next morning to Dover, from whence they crossed to France. By Sunday evening they had reached Dole, which is a mountain spa in the Jura district, near Dijon, and stayed at the Grand Hotel, resuming their journey early on Monday morning.
The accident occurred about 9 o’clock, shortly after they had left Dole. Miss Edith Hatherley was driving, the road was perfectly level, and there was no other traffic. Miss Hatherley was facing a bright sun but did not appear to have been inconvenienced. Dr. Bessie Hatherley was seated by her side, studying the route, and the other ladies were in the rear. It is thought that the accident was due to Miss Edith Hatherley being stung by a bee and losing control for an instant. The car left the road at a speed of about 50 miles an hour and collided with a tree. All the ladies were jerked violently forward, and Mrs. Hatherley struck her head against the door. Miss Edith Hatherley was pitched against the wheel and the door. The car remained upright and fortunately, did not catch fire. Mrs. Dignam was able to help her mother and sisters out of the car. Further help was quickly at hand, and the party were taken back to Dole. The first intimation of the disaster to be received at Swinton arrived at 1-30. when Mrs. Dignam got into telephonic communication with her father and her husband. Dr. Hatherley left at once for the scene of the accident, arriving there on Tuesday. A message received from him for Mr. Dignam on Wednesday indicated that the patients were improving but Mrs. Hatherley and Miss Edith Hatherley are still very seriously ill. Mrs. Hatherley indeed had not recovered consciousness yesterday and Dr. Edith Hatherley, although conscious and strengthening, is still in rather a critical condition.
The news of the accident caused great concern in the Swinton district, where the Hatherley family are so well known and greatly respected. Mrs. Hatherley has been prominent in social and philanthropic work in the district, particularly in connection with the Montagu Hospital, for many years. Three of the daughters have taken medical degrees.
Dr. Edith Hatherley is practising in Sheffield as an ophthalmic surgeon. She is also on the clinical staff of the Sheffield Royal Hospital. Dr. Bessie Hatherley is a resident medical officer at the Nether Edge Hospital. Sheffield. The other doctor, in the family, Mona, Is now the wife of Mr. Leslie Muir Wilson, of London. a son of a famous Sheffield solicitor, the late Mr. Arnold Muir Wilson. Mrs. Dignam. formerly Miss Mary Hatherley, is the wife of Mr. A. J. Dignam, manager of the Swinton branch of the National Provincial Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Muir Wilson are also touring on the Continent, and a day or two before the accident had taken their little boy. Peter. back to his school at Montana, Lake Geneva. It was for Montana that the Swinton party were making when the accident occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Wilson are believed to be in the Austrian Tyrol and are possibly unaware of the accident. The greatest sympathy is felt for the family, and a most earnest desire for the speedy recovery of the injured members of the ill-fated party. The management committee of the Montagu Hospital, at their meeting on Wednesday; passed a resolution of sympathy with Dr. Hatherley and his family.