CROSSING SMASH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 241, 8 July 1938, Page 12

CROSSING SMASH

Amazing Escape Of Party At Palmerston North

TAXI STRUCK BY ENGINE

Dominion Special Service

Palmerston North. July 7.

Five people had an amazing escape from serious injury or death at the Ruahine Street level crossing, immersion North, at about 2 o clock tnm morning, when a taxi with lour passengers, driven by Mr. J. J. 1. livens was struck by the cow-catcher of a goods train engine, and extensively damaged. Three of tbe pasesngors were taken to hospital, and the louit.i. who was thrown out of the ear ami landed on tbe ground 30 feet away, escaped unscathed.

The injured are:— Miss M. Isaacs, 309 Ruahlne Street, Palmerston North, broken leg, cut head ; condition fair. Mr. J. Woods, address unknown, severe concussion; condition unimproved, though be lias regained couscious-“e-ss. ~ , Miss Engles, 3G9 Ruahine btreer, ,1 almerston North, shock: to be discharged to-morrow. 'The fourth passenger was Mr. J. Millar, 2a Andrew Young Street., Palmerston North. He was uninjured. The driver of the taxi had a remarkable escape. The main force of the impact came toward his door, which was badly battered. The injuries he received were slight, and consisted of minor cuts on the head and legs. The ear was being driven eastward u> Ruahine Street, and the party was returning from the Manawalu Scottish Society's dance. Tbe vehicle was burled across the lines and came to rest on-its wheels and at right ang.es to its line of travel. TWO YOUNG MEN INJURED Collision On Opaki Road Dominion Special Service. Mastert-on, July 7. Two young men, Messrs. William Ward and Percy Watson, employed by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, Masterton, are in the Masterton Hospital as a result of their motor-car .colliding with another driven by Mrs. L. B, Maunsell, Masterton, on the Opaki road this evening. The eonditiph of Mr. Ward, who received cuts to the face and head injuries, is reported to be satisfactory, and that of Mr. Watson, who received cuts to the hands and head injuries, fairly good. Mrs. Maunsell ‘was cut about the face but did not require hospital attention.

The car driven by Mr. Ward, who was returning from the Eketahuna stock sale, was extensively damaged in the front, but Mrs, Maunsell’s car did not fare badly.