SMASH AT CROSSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 14

SMASH AT CROSSING

WOMM DKIVEft KILLED

OTHERS ESCAPE INJURY

(liy Telegraph.—Press Association.) GORE, June 18. A railway crossing accident resulting in the death of a married woman, Mrs. Jessie Shaw, of BaLfour, and injuries to two women and two men passengers from Balfour occurred shortly after noon, when a goods train on the Tapanui branch line struck a flveseater sedan motor-car on the Waipahi crossing, 16 miles north of Gore. Mrs. Shaw was driving the car and the other occupants were John Shaw, farmer, of Balfour, husband of the deceased; lan Claude Butler, farm hand, of Ardlussa; his mother, Mrs. Rose Butler; and his sister, Miss Hilda Mary Christine Butler, both nf Balfour. The car was proceeding to Dunedin. It is believed Mrs. Shaw heard the train whistle but did not know from what direction it was co ning. Visibility was bad, due to trees and heavy flakes of snow. The driver applied the brakes and the car stopped on the rails and was hit in the centre. The force of the impact caused the door on the driver's side to fly open and Mrs. Shaw was flung out, landing on her head on a cattle-stop. Death was instantaneous. The other occupants had miraculous escapes, as they were imprisoned in the car, which was carried a considerable distance and then thrown clear, landing on its side. The injuries to the other occupants were merely bruises and shock. The deceased woman was 45 years of age and was born at Oamaru. She was married some twelve months ago.