LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21623, 6 November 1935, Page 16

LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT

YOUNG MAN KILLED AT FENDALTON MOTOR-CYCLIST STRUCK BY TRAIN A fatal level-crossing accident occurred yesterday morning. Grant Bethell Duncan, a single man, aged 25 years, attached to the civil staff of the Defence Department, and employed at tne Burnham camp, was riding a motor-cycle along Glandovey road, Fendalton, about 7.30, when he was struck by a workers' train bound for Rangiora. Duncan received very severe head injuries and died on the way to the Christchurch Public Hospital in a St. John ambulance. Duncan was travelling west at the time, and although there is both a warning bell and a signal at the crossing, he was apparently unaware of the approach of the train until he was about 50 feet from the line. He apparently braked hard then as marks on the road showed that the tyres skidded from that point to wnere the accident occurred. When it was apparent that the brakes would not stop him in time, he tried to swing to the right and turn round. Ke was almost in safety when the train struck the rear wheel of the motor-cycle and Duncan was thrown off. His head struck a post on the righthand side of the road near the cattlestops. The train, which was running to schedule, approached the intersection at 25 miles an hour, and the whistle was sounded twice before reaching the crossing. It was only when the train was almost on the road that Duncan was seen, as houses and trees obscure the crossing badly. The train came to a stop about 10 yards over the crossing. Duncan resided at 42 Hawkesbury avenue, with h;s mother, and had been employed by the Defence Department for some time. The train consisted of an engine, three carriages, and a van, and was driven by C. W. Hyland, who has been in the service of the Railway Department for many years. Proceedings at the inquest which was opened yesterday afternoon before Mr E. C. Levvey, coroner, were adjourned sine die after evidence ot identification had been given by a brother of Duncan. t WOMAN SUFFERS CONCUSSION Mrs Winnie Kelcher, of 13 Spencer street, Addington, was thrown to the ground from her bicycle when part of her coat caught in a wheel outside the Southern Cross Hotel at Addington yesterday morning. She was admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital, by the St. John ambulance, suffering from concussion and abrasions. Her condition last evening was stated to be satisfactory. FRONT OF TRAMCAR WRECKED (PHBS9 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, November 5. The front of a tramcar was wrecked and the motorman had a remarkable escape from injury in a collision with a motor-truck laden with bales of wool at a corner near Newmarket this afternoon. The motorman's compartment of the tram-car was smashed so much that only the superstructure remained intact. The front windows and those on one side were carried completely away, together with all supports. The controls were carried away, parts of them being strewn about the roadway. The motorman. Robert Middlemiss, of Grey Lynn, escaped with bruises and scratches on one leg. _^____