CROSSING SMASH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 47, 5 December 1938, Page 7

CROSSING SMASH

TWO MOTORISTS KILLED. ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. In a collision on the Titirangi railway crossing between a northward-bound special goods train and a five-seater

saloon motor-car a man and woman wore killed and a second woman was severely injured just after 3.30 p.m. on Saturday. The victims were: Killed. Charles Purnell Parkerson, married, aged GO. retired company organiser and salesman, of Princess Street, Otahuhu. Mrs Angelina Harrison, aged oG, of Norfolk Street, Ponsonb.v. Severely Injured. Miss Evelyn Harrison, aged 38, dressmaker, of Norfolk Street, Ponsonby, daughter of Mrs Angelina Harrison. Struck broadside-on bv the engine of the goods train, which had just left New Lynn for Whangarei, the car was carried over the cattle stop, flames coming from it before it slewed to its side and came to rest upside down facing the road more than 48 feet from the place of impact. Petrol flowed freely and the car was a blazing wreck. Miss Harrison was thrown clear, about 30 yards from where the car came to rest, but she suffered a lacerated scalp and severe burns. From accounts, her clothing was then on fire. She had been sitting next to Parkerson, who was pulled clear by the driver of the train, which had stopped just past the car. Parkinson’s clothing was then burning and much of it had disappeared. He was then dead.

At that stage it was impossible to rescue the body of Mrs Harrison, who was at the back of the blazing car, the heat of the fire being terrific. Not until the Avondale Fire Brigade arrived and suppressed the flames were the charred and unrecognisable remains of Airs Harrison removed from the wreckage, which was then little more than a skeleton. It was at first thought that the remains in the car were those of a man, subsequent identification of the body being afforded by a small portion of dress material and some beads. Operation Performed. Not until about three hours after the accident was identification made by Robert Moles, labourer, who resided at the home of Mrs Harrison. Miss Harrison was conscious and inquired about her mother before the arrival of the ambulance. In the ambulance, which also carried the body of Parkerson, she became unconscious, and soon after her arrival at the Auckland Hospital she underwent an operation. Subsequently the remains of Mrs Harrison were conveyed to the mortuary at the hospital. The fireman of the train was so affected by the accident that he was unable to continue the journey and had to be taken to his home. Another fireman had to be found and the train was de : la.yed for 40 minutes.

The occupants of the ear had been on a drive to Titirangi and were returning, when they approached the Great North road. According to Reginald Earl, a boy of 17 years, who saw the accident, the locomotive whistle sounded twice and bells* were ringing on the crossing. “I thought at first the car would just clear the engine,” ho said. “Then there was a crash.” Other witnesses were a man and his little daughter. The father was holding up his child to see the train pass when the collision occurred.

The Titirangi crossing has been the scene of much construction activities for some time. Newly-aligned tracks were recently laid to replace the former line, and high banks had been formed in preparation for the erection of an overhead railway bridge to eliminate the level crossing.