STILL ANOTHER CROSSING FATALITY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3282, 27 February 1926, Page 9

STILL ANOTHER CROSSING FATALITY

Car Struck by Train at Porirua

SMASHED TO PIECES, OCCUPANT KILLED

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, East Night. Wllliaw Power, of Karori, Wellington, married, was driving a car across the railway-line at Porirua this evening, when It was struck by a goods train from Wellington. A porter saw Power approaching as the train was drawing near, He waved to Power to •stop, hut the latter went on. The train struck the car and smashed it to matchwood. Power was thrown right out of the car, and either landed, or was hit by the train, on his head. When picked up he was dead. PAEKAKARIKI DISASTER. \ HOW, THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. M’Kay’s crossing two miles to the north of Paekakariki, was the scene of a shocking fatality late on Thors-. day\ afternoon, when an express train collided with a motor-lorry. Four people werg killed, and a child was injured. Details subsequent to the “Times” report in yesterday’s issue are appended. Fireman Sights Lorry. When nearing M’Kay’s railway crossing (Paekakariki),, Charles Blackford, fireman on the Palmerston North-Wellington .passenger train, which usually arrives at Wellington at 7.13 p.tn., noticed the lorry approaching the crossing. The lorry was then about half a chain fromi the crossing, and the two men seated on the lorry appeared 'to be talking, and did not observe the approach of the\train. Train Travelling at 45 Miles. The fireman called out to' the en-gine-driver to stop, and the latter immediately sounded a long whistle and applied the brakes. The train ..was travelling about 45 miles per hour, and the 'driver, Alfred Deans, pulled up promptly, but not in time to avoid a collision. The train came to a stand-' still about 100 yards past the crossing. The fireman and engine-driver and passengers rendered every assistance to the occupants of the lorry, but ■it was found that three of the passengers had been killed instantly, while the fourth died on the wgy tp Paekakariki, The two men and one of the women were found near .the running board and about two cars’ length further back the ether woman and the child were picked up alongside th e railway track. ' f The lorry was practically cut In halves, and the furniture was strewn along the railway line. The usual warning whistle was given the engine-driver when approaching the, crossing, but the train was only two chains from the crossing when the fireman’ observed the lorry. Help at Hand. After the accident, everything possible was done for the Injured, 'and Mr. J. T. Harding, medical student, and a son of Dr. Harding, of Petone came from Paekakariki on a motorcycle and rendered assistance. The second woman ' succumbed to her injuries on the journey to' Paekakariki, where Dr.' w Caineron,‘’ ’of Paraparaumu. was at the station to meet the train. The bodies were taken on to' Wellington, and arrived about 9 o’clock, the train being about two hours behind time.

Vesta Pordham was taken to the Hospital, where it was found that her injuries consisted of scalp wounds. Her condition was not serious, and yesterday she was reported to be progressing satisfactorily. Scene of the Fatality.

The' scene of the fatality is not a crossing favoured by motorists. The road runs parallel with the railway line for several hundred yards, and In the approach from one side, the (flde from which the lorry came, the road takes a dip, and rises again to cross the railway track. This usually necessitates motorists accelerating to cross the line. The Railway Department has provided at the crossing two of the “Stop! Look out for the engine’’ boards, but does not consider the crossing dangerous enough to warrant the installation of warning bells.

The fireman was injured about the face from bits of flying glass. The inquest will be opened at 10 o’clock this morning, when evidence of identification ' will b e taken after which the inquiry will be adjourned.