MOTOR ACCIDENT AT PALMERSTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 313, 28 September 1908, Page 2

MOTOR ACCIDENT AT PALMERSTON.

(BT TELEGRA.rH.—SrECIA.t, CORRESPONDENT.) : Palmcrstcn North, September 26.'.. A sensational motor , accident occurred upon the arrival of the New. Plymouth ex- > press at 3.20 this afternoon when nearing the Union Sash and Door Company's works' at the corner of Princcss and Main streets. ■ The train was struck by a 12-14 horse-power'. motor-car driven by Mr. F. Whisliaw. tha • - well-known land agent, and formerly: of Foilding. The othler occupants-of the car wero Mrs. Rollet and her little boy of about six years. Mrs. Rollet was ' being driven' " through from Wellington' to join Her hus- • band, at present staying in Feilding. The car, according to those who witnessed tha' accident, was coming fastly - along Princess Street, and"tho driver,. Mr. evidently ■ did not notico -tho approaching- train until within ;a little over: a chain distant, when ho applied the brakes, the wheel-marks - leaving a considerablo impression upon the road. Had he not applied the brakes probably ho would have cleared the train, because the car was,' according .to the marks, struck in the rear, showing that the driver must have turned, slightly, down the line ■- towards Palmerston in tho hope of getting : clear. The motor;with the exception of tho engines, is a total wreck,'the pieces being scattered in all directions. It had only been in use about four months, and would cost; about £500 now. The occupants .were thrown; . out in air directions, . and strange to relate all cscaped serious injury. Thuvboy landed on the cow-catcher,- alid. was carried 'along 1 a short distance, and then thrown off, bouncing on tho grass like a'.ball. When picked up be was found to bo considerable-'shaken. The boy was taken on tho train and; handed:to Constable M'Cormick at Palmerston' station. It was 4 p.m. before a doctor* could bo procured, and the lad . was .then taken back to the mother, and both were sent to. * ( Mrs. Freeman's private hospital.; - Mrs. Rollet is considerably bruised, and likewise Mr. Whishaw, who <■ broken' ribs and an injury, to tue chest; ; The driver of tho express, Mr. Livingstou,' and the fireman, Mr. A. Todd, are to be commended on their promptness in applying • the Westinghouse brakes. the .train beingpulled up in a few seconds. ■