CROSSING SMASH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 5

CROSSING SMASH

. ' vt ■■ ■ / CAR AND TRAIN COLLIDE. THREE ASHBURTONIANS HURT. ACCIDENT AT SOCKBUKN. to the “ Guardian.”} CHRISTCHURCH 1 , This Day. Three persons were injured, one fairly seriously, when their car crashed into the Hornby train at the Sockburn level crossing late last night. Six persons were in the car at the time. The car, a fairly new sedan model, struck the side of the engine, was turned right round, and completely wrecked. The front was smashed in, and the driver and his sistfer, who was seated next to him, injured. Their brother, who was in the back of the car, was also hurt. Those injured were:— Mrs G. Macdonald, of 91 Moore Street, Ashburton, deep cut over left eye. Victor McClintock, the driver of the car, of cut on forehead and abrasions to shoulder, Walter McClintock, of Tinwald, cuts on face, and abrasions. The other occupants of the car, Mrs E. McClintock (Mr McClintock’s mother), her daughter (Miss Lena McClintock) and her granddaughter Joy Macdoriald, escaped with minor abrasions. Heavy rain was falling at the tiine of the accident, which occurred at 10.30 p.m., and visibility was very bad. The family was returning to Ashburton, and Mr McClintock was almost on the crossing when, as he states, he was dazzled by the lights of an approaching car, which crossed the line at a fast speed just in front of the engine. He could not see the crossing keeper, and had no idea that; the train was coming. The injured persons were attended by Dr. F. W, Helmore, who was. summoned immediately after the accident, and tire whole party was taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital by a St. John Ambulance. Here, Mrs Macdonald was admitted, and the, other members of the party treated as outpatients.