LATE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 83, 2 January 1929, Page 6

LATE NEWS

LEVEL CROSSING SMASH ONE KILLED AND SIX INJURED THREE IN SERIOUS CONDITION HUSBAND AND WIFE AMONG VICTIMS Dominion Special,Service. Christchurch, January 1. On Monday afternoon a car driven by Mr. de Latour, of Grange Hills, South Canterbury, was. struck by the 4.30 Christchurch-Ashburton train, as, as a result, one child, a daughter of Mr. Benson, of Timaru, died, and six other persons were injured, three very seriously. The car was being driven to Christchurch by Mr. de Latour, and was struck by the train at Weedon’s Crossing. The names of the occupants of the car were as follows

Phyllis Benson, aged 14, daughter of Mr. S. Benson, of Albury, severe external and internal injuries resulting in her death ‘an hour after the accident.

Mrs. de Latour, aged 25, injuries to head and back, suffering from severe shock, and in a very serious condition. Josephine Benson, aged 4 years compound fracture of left hip and cuts and shock, believed' to have internal injuries, and in a very critical condition.

John de .Latour, aged 28, severe face and bddy injuries; in a serious condition. Nira Benson, aged 11 years, severe cuts to body, legs and thigh, operated on immediately upon adn/jsion and again this morning; condition satisfactory, although still serious. . Cyril de Latour, aged 6 months, cuts to arms and head; condition satisfactory. Lenora Benson, aged 11 months, cuts and bruises; condition satisfactory.The party, in two cars .left Timaru for Christchurch early on Monday morning, and Mr. Bellett drove to Rolleston to meet them and escort them to Christcrhurch, it being their first experience of the roads in the vicinity of Christchurch, it being their first- experience about 3.30 p.m., and after a rest, nt about 5 p.m.. set out for the city. Mr. Bellett’s car took the lead and was followed by Mr. de Latour and then by Mr. Benson. In Mr. de Latour's car, a new fiv-seater tourer, were, besides himself. his wife and six children. All went well until they apnronched Weedons Crossing, where Mr. Bellett was still in the lend. However, about n couple, of

hundred yards from this crossing the second car gradually came up and took first place. It was then travelling at a speed of about twenty miles per hour and was headed for the railway crossing. Mr. Bellett, in the second car, was about two hundred yards off the crossing when he caught sight of the engine emerging from the trees which run along one side of. the line; it was travelling nt n fair speed. The front car was then very close to the crossing and i. appeared evident to the watchers that there was no hope of escape as the car seemed to be in difficulties, nst though the driver was attempting to change gears and did, not have complete control. The crash followed immediately. The car' was caught by the cow-catcher of the engine right on the rear wheels and was thrown high into the nir. The body of a girl, afterwards found to be Phyllis Benson, was hurled out and struck a post about twenty feet nway. ■■ The engine pulled .up in .a very short distance. The rar that was hit was smashed to pieces, the body and chassis being unrecognisable. ’