CROSSING SMASH

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 190, 8 May 1937, Page 12

CROSSING SMASH

Youth Fatally Injured at Carterton ANOTHER IN SERIOUS CONDITION Motor-car Struck by Rail Car Dominion Special Service. Masterton, May 7. A youth was fatally injured and another is in the Greytown Hospital in a serious conditions as a result of their motor-car being struck by the rail-car Arawa on a level crossing at Carterton this afternoon. Patrick Ryan, aged 16, Masterton, died of extensive head injuries three hours after being admitted to hospital. Frank Archer, aged 18, Carterton, is in a serious condition with a broken collarbone, abrasions and head injuries. , . , „ The accident happened on Anderson’s Line, Clareville, at 4.30 p.m., when the rail-car, which was carrying about six passengers, was on its usual run from Masterton to Cross Creek. It struck the motor-car broadside on, pushing it along the line for a distance of 45 yards and smashing it to pieces. Ryan and Archer were thrown out of the ear and clear of the line. The rail-car sounded its siren before reaching the crossing and it was heard by people in the locality. Visibility was good at the time. Although some of the pasengers were jostled in their seats by the impact and suffered slightly from shock, none of them was injured. The rail-ear was damaged in front and glass was splintered. It kept its position on the rails, however, and was towed by a locomotive to the Carterton railway'station. The line was clear by 6 o’clock. Both Ryan and Archer were employed by the firm of Hamilton Nimmo and Sons, Mastertou. Ryan, who had been a pupil of the Wairarapa High School, was engaged by the firm only yesterday. He is a son of Mr. I’. F. Ryan, who has a butcher’s shop in Queen Street, Masterton. Archer is a son of Mr. James Archer, Kent Street, Carterton. The motor, which was being driven by Archer, is said to have been a fiveseater new model. Its wreckage was strewn all over the line. . Dr. W. J. C. Wells, Carterton, attended the injured men, who were admitted to the Greytown Hospital at 5.30 p.m. Ryan’s condition was then very low, and he died in the hospital at 8.15 p.m.