CROSSING COLLISION

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1942, Page 4

CROSSING COLLISION

AT COBDEN BRIDGE Train Strikes P.W.D. Truck SERIOUS INJURIES INCURRED. A serious accident occurred at the railway crossing at the approach to the Cobden bridge at 6.45 last evening, when a goods train from Reefton struck a Public Works Department lorry, causing very , serious injuries to a passenger, Mr Alexander Ogilvie,- 57 years of age. Mr Ogilvie suffered fractures to the fore and tear of the skull, and his condition at the Grey River Hospital last night was reported to be critical. The driver of the lorry, Mr Samuel Williams of Arahura, suffered deep cuts and abrasions. His condition was reported as satisfactory. The lorry, weighing half a ton, '.yas being driver in the direction of Cobden, when it was struck by the train. It was carried along nearly as far as the Signal Station, being overturned on the river side. Mr W. P. Moore, of Cobden, a member of St. John Ambulance, was first on the scene to give assistance. Mr Wil-' J.ams was removed from the truck and then to hospital, medical assistance being given by Dr. J. F. C. Moore, who was called to the scene of the accident. Difficulty was found in removing Mr Ogilvie from the truck, owing to the serious nature of his injuries. He was taken to the hospital when the ambulance returned, after conveying Mr Williams. Mr Ogilvie is a brother of Mr William Ogilvie, of Ogilvie and Co. Ltd. and Mi- H. F. Ogilvie, another Greymouth businessman.

The Cobden bridge crossing has long been regarded as dangerous, owing to the convergence of a large amount of road and rail traffic at this point. The lorry was a total wreck.