CROSSING SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1931, Page 5

CROSSING SMASH

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER KILLED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) [ STRATFORD, Alay 1. Three people are unconscious and another person is dead as the result of, a crossing smash this afternoon when the South Express to A\ r anganui struck a car in Seyton Street, Stratford. The car was hurled against an irois post, and the occupants of the rear seat, Mrs AlcKenzie and Miss Miller, were thrown several yards through the door of a motor shed on the side of the street. William Hathaway and his wife were thrown on to the road. All four were taken to the hospital in an unconscious condition.

Airs Aliller, of AA'ellington, who was the mother of Airs Hathaway, was dead on arrival at the Hospital. Mrs AlcKenzie, a resident of Hamilton, is a sister of Airs Hathaway.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. A TERRIFIC IMPACT. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 1. The south-bound New Plymouth-Wui-ganui pasenger train struck and overturned a five-seater motor car at Seyton Street railway crossing, Stratford, this afternoon. Two women were killed, and a mall was iseiously injured Those killed are:— Mrs J. A, Miller, aged (18, widow of the late Hon. Mr Miller, of Wellington (and mother of Mrs W. Hathaway, of Flint Road, Stratford), who died at Stratford public hospital.

Mrs McKenzie, of Hamilton, who was very seriously injured, and who died at Stratford public hospital. Mrs AY. Hathaway is suffering from severe bruises all over the body and shock. She. is in a private hospital.

Mr William, Hathaway is seriously iniured, about the head and chest, and lie has a broken shoulder. He also was taken to the hospital, and his condition is serious.

The engine struck the rear' portion of the car, and sent-it hurtling through the air to crash in a crumpled mass against a telegraph pole. Arcs Miller and Mrs McKenzie arrived at Stratford last Saturday, intend■big to snend a holiday with Mr and Mrs Hathaway. Mr Hathaway is 75 'vears rf age. and grave doubts of his recovery are entertained.

People, who saw the accident or were on tb' v snot; socn after the crash, say Mr Hathaway was 1 driving with his wife n’so in the front spat, Mrs Miller and Mrs McKenzie occupied the rear seat. . The crossing is dangerous, became the visibility is obscured bv a shed. Anparentlv the car had almost '■rossed the lines when the engino struck the rear portion, flinging it violently aside, turning if over. and bringing it. to rest lying on its side facing in almost the orposito direction to that in which it had he?n going. So violent was the impact that Airs Miller and Mrs McKenzie were hurled from the rear, a distance of five or six yards against the closed and bolted doors of a garag<\ shattering the timbers. The two ladies were lying inside the gartior. when helpers rushed to their assistance.