TRAIN STRIKES CAR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 December 1938, Page 4

TRAIN STRIKES CAR.

FIVE PERSONS INJURED. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH. A miraculous escape from serious injury if not death, was experienced by a family of five persons when the car they were travelling in was struck by the south-bound Napier express at 1.40 this afternoon at Sheehan Street railway crossing at Shannon.

With their injuries they were:— ARTHUR JOHN HODGE, aged 46, of Moutoa, Foxton, driver of the car, who was suffering from superficial head injuries and shock.

ALICE HODGE, aged 40, wife, bruises, shock and cuts.

BERTHA HODGE, aged 16, fractured left leg and cut on forehead.

DOROTHY HODGE, aged 5, fractured left thigh.

EDWIN HODGE, aged 2, severe shock.

The car, an old model tourer, was proceeding into Shannon from the direction of Foxton and both the driver and his wife failed to notice the approach of the train, which at the time was not travelling at more than twenty miles per hour. The train struck the car on the front left-hand side and carried it about fifty yards down the line. All the occupants were thrown out, except Dorothy who had to be removed from the car.

Almost amazing was the escape of the boy, Edwin. After the impact he was found lying on the grille of the cattle stop close beside the line, the full length of the train having apparently passed over him, only the elevation of the actual track having saved him from a shocking death.

Two ambulances were quickly on the scene and after receiving medical attention the injured persons were conveyed to the Palmerstou North Hospital.

The jcar came, to rest right side up and was practically wrecked. The crossing is the same one at which the late Mr. Val Croon was killed a few months ago.