Train Crashes into Car

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7249, 31 August 1933, Page 6

Train Crashes into Car

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OP PASSENGEES Tho Bath street (Levin) . railway crossing was the scene of a miraculous escape yesterday afternoon when the south-bound New Plymouth express, duo at the Levin station just before 4 p.m., collided with a motor car drivon by Mr. J. a retirco farmer living in tho borough. The other occupants of the car were Mesdames W. Nye and W. Heseltine, who were engaged in a clothes drive on behalf of tho local Social Service Committee.

It is stated that tho engine of the car stalled on tho crossing, where it was struck by the on-coming locomotive. The car was badly damaged and thrown to one side but the occupants, by some miraculous dispensation of providence, escaped serious injury beyond severe bruises and one of the ladies a cut over tho eyes. Tho crossing is a bad one because the visibility is obscured by buildings on either side.

This is the first accident which has been recorded at this particular site. Mr. Richards heard the signal bells at tho crossing too lato to pull up, with the Tesult that when the ear stopped it was projecting over the rails. He called to tho occupants to jump, and he and Mrs. Nye managed to get clear, but Mrs. Hescltino tried to get out and failed, being trapped in tho back of the car. Tho engine struck the vehicle with tremendous impact and threw it against tho iron railing of the cattle-stop. Mrs. llcseltino was cut about the head as she was thrown from the back to the front of tho car by the impact, and was badly bruised about tho head and body but her injuries are not regarded as serious though sho is suffering from shock.