FAMILY TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 306, 26 December 1940, Page 9

FAMILY TRAGEDY.

FOUR DEAD IN SMASH. RAILCAR WRECKS MOTOR. (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday. Four persons were killed this afternoon when a light sedan ear was struck by the New Plymouth-Wellington railcar on a level crossing near Elthani. They were: — Mr. Leonard Archibald McPhail, aged 47, farmer, of Xgaere, driver of the car. Mrs. June McPhail, h?«1 74. mother of the driver. Mrs. Madge Theodoris McPhail, aped 'i 7. wife of the driver. Margaret McPhail, aged five, daughter of the driver. The railear, at the point where the accident occurred, usually travels at between .*>o and 00 miles an hour. The force of the impact was terrific. It carried the car over the crossing, hurled out the occupants and reduced the vphiele to a heap of twisted metal.

Mr. MePhail lived a very short time after the crash, but all the others were killed instantly. The railear. although damaged, was able to tro on after % short delay.

The accident occurred at the Clifford Road crossing, half a mile north of Kltham station, about 4.4r> p.m. The car was travelling east to the main New Plymouth road. The railway line at this point approaches the crossing through a cutting and a high bank reduces viability for motorists.

Mr. McPhail was thrown out behind the ear, but the passengers were thrown ahead of it and across the line.

The driver of the railcar was Mr, Leonard Crompton. of Xew Plymouth. Mr. and Mrs. McPhail and their only child lived on a farm at Xgaore. Mrs. McPhail, sen., is survived by her hueband, Mr. Archibald McPbail.