PORIRUA LEVEL-CROSSING SMASH.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 May 1933, Page 5

PORIRUA LEVEL-CROSSING SMASH.

TWO OF SURVIVORS IN SERIOUS CONDITION. HOLROYD A LITTLE BETTER. (fey Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The condition of Mr Prank Lincoln, of Palmerston North, and his three-year-old daughter, who were injured in the level-crossing smash, at Porirua last evening, is reported to be serious, while; that of Mr Harry Holroyd (P.N.) is a little better. Details of the accident, in which four persons were killed and three injured, appear on page 7. AN EYE-WITNESS SACCOUNT.

CAR CAUGHT FAIRLY IN MIDDLE. A TERRIFIC IMPACT. One of the few actual eye-witnesses of the tragedy at the Porirua level crossing yesterday afternoon was Mr Rankin, manager of the Kuku Store, who was returning to Levin by car at the time. As he approached the fatal crossing he slackened speed as the red danger signal lights were operating. He noticed the stationary train and the headlights of the down train as lie stopped. Just as he pulled up a touring car which was behind passed him and went ahead on to the crossing, the driver being apparently quite unaware of the oncoming train. The ear, Mr Rankin said, was Jlit in the middle and with a terrific, crash was hurled over the cattle stops, the radiator striking The stationary engine and the ' back portion of the car being crushed between the two trains, parts being carried many yards down the track. The train pulled up practically within its own length, and Mr Rankin rushed over to be confronted with a gruesome sight. Two of the lady members of the party were terribly mutilated, apparently having been run over by the train, whilst the occupants of the front portion of the car were thrown on to the other side of the other train. One of the injured men Mr ‘Rankin found near the east fence, whilst a man and woman were found near the engine. The body of the older child l was discovered between the two trains. Help was soon forthcoming from passehgers in the train and on the station, and the unfortunate people were conveyed to the waiting room where they were attended by three doctors from the Porirua mental hospital, pending the arrival of the ambulances, from Wellington. The force of the impact completely wrecked the car, whilst the woodwork of the first two carriages was damaged ajad the cattle stops were crushed in. Mr Rankin said that it was the first crossing accident he had witness'ed, but he sincerely hoped he would not .have another such experience. Though the crossing is regarded as a dangerous one, there is quite a clear view to the; left, when travelling north and the driver f must apparently have taken for granted that the danger signals were flashing on. account of the stationary engine, which was quite close to the crossing; A telegram, from Palmerston says the late Mrs Lincoln was aged 26 and was the wife of Mr S. R. Lincoln, butcher, of Rangitikei Line, the owner of the car. Mrs Prances Gaskin, aged 36, was the wife of Mr P. W. Gaskin, of Bourke Street, and daughter of Mr W. Morris, of Eketahuna. Miss Maud Enwright, 23, resided with the Gaskins and was the daughter of Poliangina residents. She was employed in a local tea room. Frances Lincoln, the fourth victim of the' tragedy, was the four-year-old daughter of the Lincolns, Those injured were Stanley Prank Lincoln (whose wife was killed), Joyce Lincoln, aged three, another daughter, and Harry Holroyde, '23, of Palmerston North. Mrs Lincoln was a daughter of Mr McHugh, of Taumarunui, and a niece of Mr E. R.-B. Holben, a wellknown Palmerston North resident.