LEVEL CROSSING SMASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1926, Page 7

LEVEL CROSSING SMASH.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS. SHORT-SIGHTED GATEKEEPER. (Itecelvpd 12 iwon.l ADELAIDE, this day. At the inquest on the five members of the Caire family who were killed in the Cheltenham level crossing fmnsli on April 30. the evidence showed that the crossing-keeper on the night of the accident was a labourer from Port Adelaide goods yards who had been pressed into service for that night only. He had been very short-sighted since childhood and knew nothing of the duties of a crossing-keeper prior to the accident. He had said to the man in the signal cabin: "I am nervous about this job. I cannot see well." The stationmaster at Cheltenham gave evidence that the usual custom was for i the stationmaster, who was also signalman, to take charge of the crossing when the day keeper left, but on this occasion another keeper was required j owing to extra duties devolving upon the stationmaster.— (A. ami X.Z.)

As the car was approaching the crossing it was raining hard, and all the curtains were closed. As the crossing gates were open the car was driven confidently aaead, but when it reached the middle down line the train from Adelaide to Port Adelaide crashed into it. There were three women and two men in the car. All the bodies were mangled beyond recognition.