CROSSING SMASH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 153, 10 April 1930, Page 3

CROSSING SMASH

TRAIN STRIKES A 'BUS. ARCHDEACON PURCHAS INJURED TAVO OTHER MINOR. CASUALTIES. (Special to the "Guardian.") CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. One passenger was seriously injured and two others suffered minor injuries and shock, when a goods train from Little River struck Lister's Christ-ehureh-Timaru motor-'bus at the Hornby crossing, on the Main South Road, shortly before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. But for the fact that both the train and the 'bus were travelling very slowly when the impact occurred the accident would have been more serious. The 'bus, a heavy one of nearly three tons, contained six passengers and the driver. The injui'ed are:

Archdeacon H. Purchas. of Geraldine. admitted to Christchurch Hospital with injuries to his head. Condition fairly serious. An X-ray examination will be made to-day. Mrs P. H. Johnson, of Rakaia, admitted to St. George's Hospital, suffering from slight cuts on the face, and shock. Condition not serious.

Mrs Ward, of Bankside, slightly injured ankle, and shock, proceeded home.

Mr and Mrs Pritchard, of Riccarton, C. Olsen, a youth living in Christchurch, and the driver, Mr G. McMillan, of Timaru, escaped injury. The crossing is unobserved for some distance on both sides of the line. The train was the goods train which left Little River for Christchurch _at 11.40 a.m. and was drawn by one of the big AB class locomotives. The 'bus was travelling at a slow speed across the crossing when it was struck broadside on by the engine and swung round parallel with the rail on the opposite side of the road. Practically the whole side was torn out, and Archdeacon Purchas, who was in the front seat next to the driver, was very badly cut about the head by glass from the shattered windscreen and side windows. In the second row of seats Mrs Johnsort, who was on the side that was hit. miraculously escaped serious injury, although it was only slightly to the rear where the engine struck. Mr and Mrs Pritchard, on the other side of Mrs Johnson, were not hurt. The youth, Olsen, and Mrs Ward occupied seats in the third row. Olsen stated that he was struck on the arm by the locomotive and thrown out on to the road when the door was ripped off.

Olsen narrowly escaped falling under the engine, and showed ereat presence of mind by turning Mr Purchas's head awav from the railwav line as he fell."

The impact was ?<.companied by a loud crash, and glass and splintered wood were strewn about for some distance down the line. One of the doors was carried on the cow-catcher of the engine, which pulled up about fifteen yards from the cattle stop. Although the left-hand side of the body was practically ripped off, the bus could bo driven into a garage near by. Mr McMillan joined the firm of Listers when it commenced running a Christchurch-Timaru service. He is regarded as a good driver, and yesterday's accident was his first. He stated that he did not hear the engine whistle, but,- apart from that, declined to discuss the mishap. Several people in the vicinity stated that they heard the whistle. The injured were attended by Dr. Robinson Hall, and residents in the vicinity kindly gave assistance. The bus and passengers and driver were insured. COLLISION AT PUTARURU. LORRY DRIVER INJURED. HAMILTON, April 9. Injuries were sustained by William Cameron yesterday afternoon when a lorry he was driving collided with a train on a level crossing about five miles from Putarnru. Cameron was driving a lorrv laden with chaff from Lichfield to Putaruru. The injured man was admitted! to the Rotorua Hospital. His condition is satisfactory.