A TERRIFIC SMASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 167, 16 July 1924, Page 7

A TERRIFIC SMASH.

MOTOR CAR WRECKED. BETWEEN TRAM AND POIJB. DRIVER'S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. A miraculous escape from death was tho lot of Mr. Jack Rogers, of Onohunga, when his Ford car was reduced to a mass of wreckage in a collision with a tram car in Wellesley Street East at about 1.30 o'clock to-day. Mr, Rogers was driving down Wellesley Street. A city-bound tram car was a short distance behind him. When the | driver of the Ford reached the corner of | Rutland Street another car was coming] out. and Mr. Rogers jammed on hisj brakes, the cur skidding between a tramway centre polo and the tram. The latter i crashed into the Ford with a terrific impact, smashing it against the pole and the side of the tram with such violence it forced one side practically through to the other. The motor was facing up Wcllcslev Street after the accident, and the pole had the appearance of growing out of its centre. The inside portion and, benzine tank, tho doors and front sent, were reduced to a mass of splintered wood, buckled iron, and twisted springs. The back and front right hand wheels were broken, the former being wrenched right off. And out of all this debris Mr. Rogers escaped with a shaking and' a cut on his head. Ho was removed to tho St. John Ambulance ofTice near by. The front extension bar of the trnm car was smashed off, and a portion of the wind screen shattered. The motormnn was injured. The remains of the Ford were unwound from the pole with the aid of a lorry and ropes.