ACCIDENT AT KENSINGTON CROSSING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 9

ACCIDENT AT KENSINGTON CROSSING.

r An accident occurred "* at tlie Kensington railway crossing at about half- past 1 o'clock p.m. on the 23rd, but luckily neither loss of life nor serious injury resulted, the worst being the smashing of a buggy. Mr William Collie, of the Central Hotel, accompanied by Mr J*'. Robertshaw, of Elm row, was at the time mentioned driving a light buggy rapidly along the main South road on his '■v&y So .-St." Clair. The crossing-keeper, Mr P. Nolan, saw the buggy coming, and as an engine was shunting over the crossing at fcho time he signalled to the driver of "he buggy to stop. The bell was wringing and the engine's whistle sounded at the time, feat tihk signals were not roticed in

to stop and the buggy ran straight into the } shunting waggon. Trap, horse, and occu- I pants were carried over the road and across the cattlestop alongside the signal box. The trap was badly smashed, in fact broken to pieces, but the horse was not injured, Mr Collie escaped unhurt, and Mr Robertsn?,w received only a few slight scratches. At the time the collision occurred the engine was going very slowly, pushing some waggons along to the Hillside works. Had the train been going at any speed and a collision had taken place the. consequences must- have been most seriouc and almost certainly fatal. It is said that Mr Robertshaw saw the signals and called intention to them, but the attempt to pull up was unsuccessful. There seems to be uo doubt in ihe minds of those who ■witnessed the accident that the crossing-keeper did his duty in the best manner possible, and that what took place io a strong argument, in favour of the erection of dropgates at this point. The horse and trap are the property of Messrs Speight and Co.. and had been lent to Mr Collie, who was anxious to get home soon, and therefore borrowed the vehicle.