A COLLISION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 September 1924, Page 4

A COLLISION.

LORRY AND MAIL TRAIN.

TWO MEN INJURED,

ONE A HAWERA RESIDENT,

Two men were injured as a result <*f a collision between last night’s New Plymouth mail train and a motor lorry at the Mountain road crossing near the Waipuku toll-gate. The injured men are:— Joseph Collins, single, painter, Stratford; minor injuries and shock. George Godfrey Hastedt, married,. motor lorry driver, Hawera; fractured leg, minor injuries, and shock. Considering the force of. the impact,' the men’s escape from more serious injuries was miraculous. The lorry which Hastedt was driving, and on which Collins was also riding, was caught broadside on by the train, which was travelling at the usuaLspeed of 30 miles an hour. It was carried on the front of the engine for about 100 yards and was completely wrecked. Collins was thrown clear of the lorry and train on to the cattle stops when the collision occurred, but Hastedt was pinned between the lorry and the engine, great difficulty being experienced in extricating him when the train was brought to a standstill. Neither the engine driver (Mr Bateman) nor the fireman (Mr Peterson) was injured; and no damage -was done to the train, which arrived at New Plymouth at 8:5 p.m., 45 minutes late. Medical assistance was obtained from Stratford and Inglewood, and an examination revealed the injuries stated. The men were attended to on the spot, and were then conveyed on the train to New Plymouth, where'they were met by the ambulance and taken to the public hospital. Their condition, was reported late last night as being very satisfactory. The lorry belonged to tlffi General Transport Company, and was carrying a full load of groceries, crockery and ; other general goods from New Plymouth to Hawera. It was stated that the lorry headlights were plainly visible from the train, and that the engine headlight was also burning brightly. Another lorry belonging-to the same firm crossed the line about a minute before. ■

The only damage done to railwayproperty was to the cattle stops, which were badly broken by the wreckage; The contents of the lorry were distri-. buted. along the line.