MINISTER KILLED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 42, 18 January 1936, Page 9

MINISTER KILLED

TRAGEDY AT CROSSING. TRAIN HITS CAR. . Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Jau. 17. Rev. J. B. Blickerstaff, Presbytvcian minister at Stirling, was killed almost instantaneously when his motor-car, of which lie was tiie sole occupant, was struck by the express train from the south at a road crossing near Benliar. The train was travelling between Stirling and Benliar and had just passed'through a cutting when the accident occurred. Mr Bickerstaff had paid a parochial call and was driving back to Stirling. There was a very strong wind blowing at the time ana it is most likeiy that owing to this Mr Bliekstatf failed to hear the approaching train. His car was apparently in the middle of the line when the engine struck it, and it was carried along for some five chains before the train could be stopped. It was some minutes before the occupant could be released from the wreckage, as the whole side of the ear was crushed in and lie was jambed between it and the steering wheel. He was unconscious and was suffering from injuries to the head. A nurse who. was a passenger on the train rendered assistance but death took place within a few minutes. A doctor was summoned from Balclutlia.

Mr Bifckerstalf, who was a middleaged man, was married, there is a family of two daughters aifd one son. The train was delayed a little over half an hour by the accident.