CROSSING ACCIDENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1926, Page 6

CROSSING ACCIDENT

EXPRESS CRASHES INTO LORRY. DRIVER’S GRAVE INJURIES. A motor lorry, heavily freighted with road metal, when negotiating the Tyne street level crossing at Levin shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday, was struck in the centre by the engine or the south-bound New Plymouth express and smashed to pieces. Ihc lorry driver, Thomas Johnson, a married man about 40 years of age, was seriously hurt, sustaining a badly fractured skull and internal injuries. According to information received by the “Standard” this morning from lievin, an eye witness heard the engine whistle and saw tho lorry approach the crossing as the express came down the cutting. The lorry driver, however, apparently failed to hear the warning on account of the rattling of the motor vehicle which was struck amidships by the engine of the express, then travelling at a speed in the region of 40 miles an hour. ■ ' , • i The lorry was literally pulverised by the terrific impact and carried in sections a long way from the scene of tho accident. Tho engine was torn out and the two sets of wheels cast on different sides of the track.

Johnson, when picked up, was seen to be gravely injured and, after receiving attention at a Levin private hospital, was brought on to. the Palmerston North hospital. The engine of the express was damaged to sudi an extent that tho train was delayed for an hour and a-lialf, another engino being secured for the continuance of the journey to \\ellington. Tho north-bound Auckland express was also very much delayed by the accident and reached Palmerston NorGi well over an hour behind schedule time. The Union Shipping Company, at tho request of the Railway Department, delayed tliQ departure of the ferry steamer Maori to enable some 50 passengers for it on tho Now Plymouth express to make their belated connection.

Tho crossing where the accident occurred is reputedly dangerous, a cutting restricting tho view of the railroad right up to the intersection. It is just within the northern boundary of the Levin borough. The destroyed lorry was owned by Mr H. Mottershead and at the time was engaged in carting metal for the Horowlienua County Council. On enquiry at the hospital this afternoon it was learned that Mr Johnson’s condition was very low.