INSTANT DEATH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 43, 30 November 1937, Page 6

INSTANT DEATH

RAILWAY CROSSING FATALITY. TRAIN STRIKES A LORRY. BODY THROWN TWENTY YARDS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. One of fhe worst crossing smashes in the recent history of Auckland occurred at 9.30 a.m. to-day, when Mr W. Bramley, a married man, aged 55, with an adult family, was killed outright. Mr Bramley was driving one of Winstone, Ltd.’s, lorries on the New North Road and when at St. Jude’s Street crossing it was struck by a north-bound passenger train. His body was thrown from the truck about 20 yards down the line, the lorry being carried a further distance of 30 yards. Eye-witnesses said that Mr Bramley, who was driving slowly, apparently heard and saw the train approaching, for he put up his hand to advise cars that he was stopping. His truck continued on, however, and was struck by the engine. It is thought that the brakes of the lorry failed.

Mr Bramley was the oldest driver in the employ of Winstone’s, and was regarded as one of the most careful on the road. BOY DROWNED IN RIVER. WOMAN DIVES IN FULLY CLOTHED. WHANGAREI, November 29. Arthur Richard Schutt, aged 13, was drowned in the Hatea river yesterday. He was bathing with two children named Tufnell in a portion of the river where dredging operations were recently carried out, and the bank shelves sharply to a depth of 25 feet. Schutt was soon noticed to lie in difficulties, and the Tufnell children ran home for assistance. Mrs Tufnell dived in, fully clothed, in an attempt to rescue the boy. However, she was unsuccessful, and the police were called. The boy was a son of Mr William Harold Schutt, Port Whangarei. BOY’S BODY FOUND IN CREEK. AUCKLAND, November 29. An inquest was opened this morning into the death of Desmond Llewelyn Thomas, aged 15, of Avondale, who was drowned in Whau creek yesterday afternoon. He was swimming with 14 other lads, and not until most had. left for home was it found that he was missing. Mr George Heron, a resident of the district, searched the swimming pool and found the body. A doctor stated that the boy had apparently been dead for more than two hours. The boy was a strong swimmer. After hearing the evidence of identification, the Coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) adjourned the inquest sine die.