FATAL COACH ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3784, 6 February 1908, Page 4

FATAL COACH ACCIDENT.

Nklson, February 2. A train to Nelson was approaching the crossing when the NelsonMotueka coach, driven by Charles Brichland, attempted to cross in front. The horses cleared the rails, but the engine crashed into the forepart of the coach and smashed it to pieces. There were three passengers in the coach, and one of them, Mrs Tilbury, wife of Mr A. J. Tilbury, of the Hutt, was killed instantly, her body being terribly mangled. Mrs Tilbury’s sister, Miss Susan Walters, was thrown clear of the traiu, and is suffering from shock and bruises. It is not anticipated that her injuries will prove serious. Miss Fittall, daughter of Mr Alfred Fittall, of Richmond, was seated on the box, and she also fell clear of the train, but suffered a broken thigh. The driver of the coach, Brichland, was picked up from the ruins of the vehicle, unconscious. He was seriously injured internally, and is in a critical condition, Hater. The people injured in Saturday's c‘«ch accident are making favourable pi ogress, though the condition of the driver is still very serious. An inquest was opened this morning on the body of Mrs Tilbury, and after formal evidence had been taken was adjourned till the 13th inst., to allow of the evidence of the coachdriver and other passengers being taken, if they are then fit to appear.