CROSSING SMASH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 282, 12 November 1936, Page 7

CROSSING SMASH

Father and Son in Lorry TERRIFIC IMPACT (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 12. The scene of some of the most shocking accidents that have occurred close to the city, the Soekburn railway crossing, to-day added stil] one more to its tally. A father and son were injured when the Little River train, outward bound from the city, smashed into a lorry on the crossing at 8.11 o’clock. The father, Mr Henry Williams, is suffering from terrible head injuries, and the son, Bryan Williams, who is five years of age, suffered bad Gifts and bruises. The father is reported td be in grave danger of his life. The boy’s condition is not serious. Both have been admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital. There was a terrific impact, the engine smashing into the forepart of the truck and swinging the heavy vehicle, which was laden with a tank containing two tons of tar, completely round and scattering broken pieces of wood and steel over a wide area.

The front wheels, axle and springs of the lorry were torn off and sent hurtling ’ through the air like a giant doubleheaded missile nearly 30 yards from the crossing. This flying combination of rubber and steel, which weighed over a quarter of a ton, crashed into a shop verandah post, snapped it off, and with its flight deflected, tore down a large portion of a picket fence adjacent to the shop. It came to rest when it struck > a tree.

The truck, which had turned out of Smith street to the crossing on the main road, was struck on the driving side. Mr Williams was thrown out as the truck was slewn violently round, hitting the paved road some yards from the crossing. The boy was also thrown out and had a miraculous escape from serious injury.