A BAD SMASH

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 33, 2 November 1928, Page 10

A BAD SMASH

VAN CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO TRAMCARS

Dominion Special Service.

Christchurch, November 1.

With his milk van crushed between two moving trainears Mr. Henry Daniel Spence, of 24 Francis Street, Burwood, had a miraculous escape from death this morning. The accident happened at 8.45 when traffic ou Ferry Road was heavy witli workers coming to the city.

Mr. Spence, who was driving a motor van, turned out of Ollivier’s Road in the direction of the city, running alongside a city-bound traincar. Before he had gone twenty yards he collided with an outward bound tram, the light motor being crushed between it and the inward bound car. Both trains were stopped with the van jammed between them. By that time the van had assumed an unusual shape, the chassis having been crushed, and thus elongated. The driver, who had been unable to get out before the smash occurred, was pinned into what was the driving seat by the wheel. He managed to get out through where the windshield had been with no worse injuries than a bruised chest and a small cut on one finger. The van was extricated by means of a horse and dray. Neither of the tramway motormen was hurt, and the trams were but little damaged. The front and rear axles of the van were bent, the chassis twisted, the body torn off, the engine displaced, and even the petrol tank under the seat was torn off and dented. A sack full of pieces of the van was swept up off the road before general traffic was.resumed. Mr. Spence was driven to his home, and after receiving attention and securing another, vehicle he was able to carry on his milk round. _____