TRAGIC TOLL OF THE CROSSING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 7

TRAGIC TOLL OF THE CROSSING

Bad Record of Accidents in 1928

The distressing accident* on a Christchurch level crossing on Monday marked the close of a year which has been marred by a very largo number of fatalities at railway crossings, says the New Zealand ‘Herald.’ The toll of life and property at crossings since the beginning of the year has been great, in all 14 persons having lost their lives and 42 being injured. Fortyfour vehicles of different kinds have been damaged or destroyed, the majority of these being motor-cars. The list of accidents is as follows: January 10. —Styx crossing, Christ- . church: Electric train strikes motorcar; damage to car. 12.—Riccarton crossing: Goods train hits car; car occupants escape injury. Jo.—Argyle street crossing, Auckland: Train strikes motor-lorry; slight damage done. On December 24, 1927, a woman was killed at this crossing, and on December 16, 1927, three persons in a car were seriously injured, in collisions with engines. February 9. —Pirongia Toad crossing, near To Awamutu: Limited express runs into sheep, killing five. 12. —Takekeroa crossing: Train strikes bullock team, one animal killed, another badly injured. 13. —Church street crossing, To Papapa: Train strikes motor-van; Chinese gardener severely injured. 28. —Frankton station crossing: Train hits motor-car, which was severely damaged; two occupants escape. March 17. —Maugerc crossing: Train hits milk float, horse killed, float wrecked; driver narrowly escapes. April 4.—Hampden, South island, crossing: Express hits motor-car, which was smashed to pieces; two occupants liavo narrow escape. April 22.—-Waipa hotel crossing, near Ngaruawahia; Goods train damages motor-car. 23.—Totara avenue, New Lynn: Train kills pedestrian. May 9.—Studholme Junction crossing: Timnru train strikes motor-car, killing one man and injuring another. Juno 5. —Taupiri quarry crossing: Train strikes and extensively damages motor-lorry. 11.—Eauolf street, Rotorua: Car runs into train; car severely damaged; driver injured. 14. —West street, Palmerston North: New Plymouth express strikes lorry carrying benzine; lorry badly damaged by tiro and benzine burned. Two occupants severely burned and suffer from shock. 17.—Tomoana crossing, near Napier: Wellington express strikes motorvan, killing one man and badly injuring another/ motor-van wrecked. 19.—Frederick street, Hastings: Train strikes lorry laden with benzine: driver escapes. 26.—Crossing near Wanganui: Engine strikes motor-truck, severely injuring driver, whose arm was later amputated; lorry wrecked. 26.—Church street, Southdown: Limited express strikes motor-bus; driver slightly cut in jumping clear, bus completely wrecked. .It had no passengers. Train damaged. 29. Gladstone road crossing, Auckland: Train hits milk van; driver severely injured. July 15.—Hawcra crossing: New Ply-

mouth express wrecks horse-drawn waggon; farmer dies from injuries. 15. —Colombo street, Christchurch: Shunting engine hits motor-car; vehicle badly damaged. 15. —Prebldcton crossing, Christchurch: Train hits motor-car; driver seriously hurt. 26. —Princess street, Palmerston North: Napier express strikes motor-cycle; rider severely injured. August 2.—Dimsandcl crossing, Canterbury: Night, express hits motorcar: youth and woman killed; another occupant hurt. 12.—Shannou crossing.—Auckland express hits motor-car; two occupants seriously hurt. 12. —Matamatn crossing: Special train strikes motor-car; woman and baby killed; two other persons hurt. 13. —Princess street, Palmerston North: Train hits motor-car; driver receives injuries. 25. —Fenton street crossing, Stratford: Engine strikes pedestrian, who is killed instantly. 2G.—Waimate crossing: Train hits gig; driver sustains severe cuts; horse killed. September 6. —Hunterville crossing: Mixed train strikes motor-car, which is destroyed; driver escapes ly--10. —Addington crossing: Train hits motor-car; occupants escape unhurt. *ls.—Rattray street crossing, Dunedin: f Goods train hits motor-car; ono occupant injured. 27. —Raynor's road crossing, Huntly: Goods train hits motor-car; occupants escape. October 2.—Tariki crossing, Taranaki: New Plymouth train strikes motorcar; woman driver hurt. 16. —Grey street crossing, Claudclands: Rotorua express wrecks motor-car; driver only slightly injured. .30.—Aramoho crossing. Wanganui: Train strikes motor-lorry; boy rereives injury. November 3.—Ashburton crossing: Night express hits motor-car; woman injured. 16. —Broadway crossing, Piclon: Train wrecks motor-car; woman killed instantly; three others injured. 21.—Woolston crossing: Train hits Public Works lorry; one passenger killed; six others hurt. 27. —Bruntwood crossing, Cambridge: Train strikes car; woman driver escapes. December 3.—Frankton 1 orest Laka road crossing, Frankton: Goods train! hits motor-car; one occupant killed; three others injured. 6. —College road crossing, Gisborne* Train strikes lorry; driver killed. 17. —Broadway crossing, Picton: Goods train strikes taxi; driver escapes: five, trucks derailed. IS.—Kaikolic station crossing: Train strikes motor-lorry, which is smashto pieces; driver hurt. .31.—Wecdons crossing, Canterbury: Train hits motor-car; child killed outright; six other occupants injured; car completely wrecked. The new year lias begun tragically in this matter of accidents at the crossing. The mishap at Horotiu on Tuesday was the cause of three deaths, two other persons in the wrecked car being seriously injured.