TRAM FATALITY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 28 May 1917, Page 5

TRAM FATALITY.

ONEHTJNGA CAR WRECKED

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION

AUCKLAND, May 27. A tram accident occurred at Onehunga on Saturday evening, a widow, Mrs Annie Elizabeth Birch, 54 years of age, dying from shock, and six others being seriously injured, one of them dangerously, besides numerous minor casualties. The tram, which was bound from the city to Onehunga with 50 passengers, had reached the Selwyn street stop, situated in Trafalgar street, about 300 yards from a sharp curve into Queen street, Onehunga, and at top of an incline. Motorman Sydney Colquhoun started the car, and. as he did 60, leaned out to see whether all the passengers had entered, and he overbalanced and fell on the roadway unobserved, as the front door of the car was shut, and the conductor inside collecting fares. The car, now uncontrolled, gained momentum, ran down the slope, left the track at the curve and dashed into a bank. 15 yards ahead, composed of rock. The body of the car was shifted off the bogies for some distance, the latter being twisted, several windows broken, and the two front platforms telescoped.

Passengers were unaware of what was happening till the crash came, and then a scene of great confusion ensued, passengers being thrown in all directions. Rescuers speedily arrived with lights and remedies, and first aid was rendered by three doctors and residents. : Mrs Birch died in a nearby house half an hour la"ter. She leaves five children, of whom Laura, age<l 8, was taken to the hospital suffering from a broken thigh, and there were also taken to the hospital Gladys Rhodes, aged 14, fracture at base of skull, and w.hose condition is critical. Mrs Ann Lockwood, aged 40. general bruising; Arnold Gedge, aged 20, lacerated left ankle. It is estimated that over 20 others sustained minor injuries.