FIRE ENGINE SMASH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXII, Issue 10039, 16 June 1925, Page 5

FIRE ENGINE SMASH

CAUSED BY MOTOR-CAR COLLISION.

ONE BRIGADESMAX KILLED SIX INJURED. (PRESS ASSOCIATION) CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Jx collision between a lire engine- and a motor-car this evening at the intersection of Madras Street and Oxford terrace resulted in one fireman being killed almost instantaneously, and six other fireman injured, more or loss seriously, while the driver of the motoruar had his right log slightly injured. I tie details of the casualties arc: —Killed.— 1 Station Officer J. H. Noblett (single), j—lnjured. 1* orenian T. B. Robb, officer in charge of engine (married), severe cuts on forehead and right eye. Mechanic W. Low (single), bruises ,to leg and arm. Fireman. P. J. Taylor (married), broken left leg. I' ireman G. Wilton (single), cut leg and bruised back. Fireman W. H. Collett (single), abrasions to arm and elbow. I'ireman R. E. Downing (single), bad bruises to knee and back.

Tho Brigade received a cail at 6.45 to a motor-car on fire in Clyde Street. Hie No. 1 Dennis engine went out, and when nearing Madras Street bridge encountered a car driven by John B. Cade. The car smashed into the middle, of the engine, which skidded, turned over to the left, and came to a stop against the stonework of the bridge. The top hamper of the engine carrying the hose and apparatus. was broken off, and the car slewed right round. The men crawled out from under the engine when it was righted, and Noblett was found under the. wrecked gear, terribly injured about the head, his helmet being crushed and various parts of hie' body mutilated. He died a few minutes later.

A little later a fireman crawled out of the river, having been thrown right over the bridge and into the stream.

The injured men were taken to the hospital. Cade had a miraculous escape, but his car was considerably damaged.