MOTOR TRAGEDY

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1926, Page 5

MOTOR TRAGEDY

FOUR KILLED. At Level Crossing. (Our Uwn Correspondent.) PALMERSTON N., Fen. 25. A fearful Iqvel crossing fatality or cnrred at 'wyllir-’s crossing, two nul<-> north of P.'ikapakaumu nt 5.50 thi> afternoon, resulting in the deaths o: two men and their wives. The victimsMr and Mrs W. Fordham, Cuba St., of the firm of Fordham anil < hints, auctioneers, who recently returned from a visit to the Exhibition. Mr and Mrs Wallis, of 22 Nelson St.. Wellington. A little girl, Esther Wallis, the only other occupant, was slightly hurt nns. The train, which leaves Palmerston North at 3.13, struck a motor lorry which was laden with furniture, whiei was being taken north to Tenoro .foi Mrs Connell. The vehicle struck full on, and was ent in half, the furniture being scattered for 300 yards. FURTHER DETAII ? WF.T.I.ING'U-N, February .25. The shocking crossing fatality in which four persons were killed and the child injured, occurred two miles north of Paekakariki. The names of those killed are William Ernest Fordham, carrier, aged, 34. years (partner in the firm of Fordham and Childs, > and residing at ' 218' Cuba Street, Wellington; his wife. Rubia, Victoria Fordham, aged 34 years; William Wallis, 31 years: his wife, Mts Florence Wallis, aged 27 years. Versita Marie Fordham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Fordham, aged 9, is suffering from shock and abrasions. Her condition is not regarded as serious. The deceased and the child were passengers on the lorry, wliich was conveying- a full load of furniture from Wellington to Te Hora and the vehicle was negotiating what is known as MeKnv's Crossing. It was struck by the Palmerston— Wellington passenger train, which leaves Palmerston nt 3.43 p.m. and is due in Wellington at 7 13. The crossing traverses the railway line at right angles, and the drivers Of vehicles have a clear view rtf the line for 300 yards. The liodies weer frightfully mangled