TRAIN STRIKES JIGGER

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1934, Page 2

TRAIN STRIKES JIGGER

TWO OFFICIALS INJURED [per press association.] AUCKLAND, December 18. Two officers of the Railway Department. were injured at Buttons Crossing, about half a mile south of Taupiri station, shortly after five o’clock this afternoon, when a motor jigger upon which they were riding, was overtaken by a mixed train, proceeding from Frankton Junction to Auckland. The injured were: — A. J. Meade, aged 58, married, of Frankton Junction, Inspector of Permanent Way, who sustained grave head injuries, his condition being serious; and H. W. Beasley, District Engineer of Auckland, who suffered concussion and severe bruises, his condition not being serious. The accident occurred at a point in the line where there is a slight bend, the approach to which is obscured by high fern. Messrs. Beasley and Meade had left Frankton Junction at about half past three, and were on their way to Mercer. They were engaged in inspecting the line in preparation for the forthcoming visit of the Duke of. Gloucester to Auckland. It was their intention to stay the night at Mercer, and to proceed to Papakura to-morrow.

The jigger involved in the accident was a large four-wheeled velocipede, driven by a motor. When it was struck it was carried about seven chains on the cowcatcher of the engine, before it was thrown from the line. It was completely wrecked. Beasley was knocked clear of the line, but Meade was struck by the cowcatcher. As soon as the impact occurred, the train was pulled up. The driver and fireman went to the assistance of the injured men. They were taken on the train to Taupiri. The afternoon express from Auckland to Wellington was stopped, and the men were placed in the van. On their arrival at Frankton Junction, they were transferred to Waikato Hospital. . The train involved in the accident was a mixed train. It was running about a’ quarter of an hour behind the schedule time when the accident occurred.

Meade, who has an adult family, has only been at Frankton about two months. Prior to that he was Inspector of Permanent Way at Springfield, near Christchurch.