EXPRESS HITS BUS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 11

EXPRESS HITS BUS

Smash at Level Crossing ON WAY TO A DANCE Youth Killed, Two Injured OTHERS THROWN ON ROAD Dominion Special Service. Masterton, April 10. A young man was killed outright and a girl and youth fairly severely injured when a motor-bus conveying a party of about 20 young people to a dance at Kaituna was struck by the Wairarapa up express at the Renal! Street level crossing shortly before 8 o’clock on Saturday evening. Others in the party were slightly hurt, and had a remarkable escape from serious injury. The dead man is: FRANK GILLESPIE, aged 10 years, son of Air. and Mrs. D. J. Gillespie, of Kibblewhite Road, Alasterton, and a french polisher employed by ■ the Scoullar Co The injured are: Joyce Palamontain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. AV. J. Palamontain, Cornwall Street, Masterton. Scalp wounds and severe bruises. Alaurice Finlayson, sou of Mr. and Airs. D. W. Finlayson, Upper Plain, Masterton. Head injuries and slight concussion. The condition of Mr. Gillespie and Miss Palamontain is satisfactory. The driver and the other passengers had lucky escapes, though nearly aU received cuts and bruises. The crossing where the accident occurred is not considered a dangerous one. The line crosses the road at an angle, and there is an uninterrupted view of the line south for some considerable distance. However, neither the driver nor the two passengers in the driver’s cab saw the train until it was upon them. Sharp Whistle Close to Him. The driver was Air. James T. Rutherford, of Worksop Road, Alasterton, an employee of Mr. Lewis Pearson, carrier, of Lansdowne. The bus was a motor-lorry fitted with seats and an omnibus top. Air. Pearson was conveying another- party to Kaituna, and passed across the line about 200 yards ahead of the second bus. He saw the lights of the approaching engine, then some distance away, and also heard It whistle. Mr. Rutherford, it is stated, neither saw nor heard the train’s approach. Ills first indication was a sharp whistle close to him, and the back lefthand corner of the bus . was immediately struck by the engine. Tbe bus was immediately lifted off its back wheels, the front wheels remaining on the road and locking. The force of the impact slewed the vehicle round and capsized it. The light wooden top was wrecked, and most of tbe passengers were thrown out on to the bitumen roadway. Frank Gillespie, who was sealed at the rear of the vehicle, and received the full force of tbe impact, struck either the fence at the side of the road or a. telegraph pole, and was killed outright. The other occupants all suffered severe shock. Fortunately the bus was fitted with canvas side curtains and not with glass windows. Dr. Helen Cowie, Dr. Archer Hosklug, and Dr. J. C. Forsyth, aud an ambulance were quickly on the scene, where a large crowd had gathered. Miss Palamontain was admitted to hospital, and Air. Finlayson was taken to his home. Others who laid received slight cuts and were suffering from shock were attended to Ju a nearby house. Splintered Wood, Broken Glass. Although the omnibus top was completely wrecked, the lorry chassis of the bus escaped damage, and the vehicle was subsequently removed under its own power. Splintered wood and broken glass from the cab, scattered over the road for a considerable distance, however, bore evidence this morning to the force of the impact. Mr. Gillespie's funeral will take place at 10 a.m. to-morrow, and the inquest will oj>en at tbe Masterton courthouse at 2 p.m.