TERRIBLE SMASH IN AUCKLAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 666, 6 May 1914, Page 5

TERRIBLE SMASH IN AUCKLAND.

FIRE MOTOR RUNS INTO TRAMWAY POLE. TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH CAR. SEVERAL MEN INJURED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rBJGSS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, Tuesday. A bad smash took place this afternoon at 3 o'clock at tho corner of Queen and Wellssley streets, when several firemen were badly injured. The motor fire engine had received a call and was coming down Queen street from Grey street at a tremendous pace.

When approaching the Wellesley street corner, it was thought that the way would have been kept clear, so that the fire engine could have kept on travelling straight down the main street.

Just at the critical momsnt, however, a tram car, bound for I'onsonby, swung right round on the Welleßley street bend, right in the track of the approaching fire engine. A smash was inevitable. There was no room to pass the car, which, presented itself broadside on.' The motorman had his choice of dashing into the car or taking the sidewalk to the left, or the tramway poll to the right. He chose the right, and tried hard to clear the iron centre pole in the middle of the street. His effort, however, failed, and the motor engine, travelling at probably 30 miles an hour, went crash into the iron pole. The impact was tremendous. The fire engine was smashed to pieces, and the dozen men aboard were thrown in every direction. One was thrown right under the tram car, which Was still moving, and was terribly injured. Others were picked up insensible and taken to the hospital.

Two men, named Mcßie and Hall, were severely injured, and had to be taken to the hospital.

The call to a fira was a false alarm. 1