FATALITY AT A RAILWAY CROSSING.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 937, 3 February 1908, Page 5

FATALITY AT A RAILWAY CROSSING.

TK.WN AM) COACH COLLIDE. [press association.] NELSON. Saturday. A serious railway accident occurred it a crossing near Appleby station at 12.30 to-day. The train to Nelson was approaching the crossing when tJic Nelson to Motuoka coach, driven by Charles Bricklands, attempted to cross in front. The hordes liad cleared the rails when the engine crashed into the forepart of the coach, which was smashed to pieces. There- werv. three passengers by the coacli, and one of them, Mrs Tilbury, of Hutt, was killed instantly, her body being terribly mangled. She was evidently thrown through the sjde of the coach and tlie wheels of the engine passed over her body. Both legs were- severed from the trunk. Her sister, Miss Susan Walters, was thrown clear of the train, and is suffering from shock and bruises, but it is not anticipated that her injuries \\ ill prove serious. Miss Fitall, daughter of Mr Alfred Fitall, of Richmond, was seated on the box. She also fell clear of the t m ill, but suffered ;i brok.-u tliigh. Till' driver of the conch, JJricklands, was picked up unconscious from the ruins of the vehicle. He was seriously injured internally ami is in » critical condition. The coach is in the custom of crossing the line some, time before ihe train readies that place, but owing to the anniversary holiday ihe train arrangements to-day were altered, and probably IJrieklands was not aware of the change. He is not yet able to give any account of the matter. Mr and Mrs Tilbury were mi a holiday visit to Nelson, and Mr Tilbury was following the. coacli on a bicycle. NELSON, Ih-i night. 'I lio.-e injured in yesterday's coach accident are making favorable progress, though the condition of the driver, Hricklauds. is -till very M-ri-(iii^.