Car Driver Who Ran Into Train

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 275, 19 November 1938, Page 2

Car Driver Who Ran Into Train

FOR TRIAL ON NEGLIGENT DRIVING CHARGE

On the night of September 14, Ernest Allan Hoare, a motor mechanic, of Palmerston North, was returning by car from Wellington, but instead of taking the turn to the right at what is known as the devil’s elbow, at Linton, he proceeded straight on. He thought he was still on the main highway to Palmerston North but instead was on the side road leading to the Linton railway station. The mistake wfis an unfortunate one because Hoare came into collision with a goods train. In the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday he faced a charge of negligent driving thereby causing bodily injury to Thelma Marion Voss, who was a passenger. Oscar Callesen, the driver of the train, said that he had pulled up three engine lengths from the crossing as the signal was against him. Four minutes later the “all clear” signal was given him and he commenced to move forward with blast from tne whistle and headlights full on. A little closer to the crossing he had occasion to sound the engine whistle a second time in acknowledgment of a signal from the station. The speed of the train was about 10 m.p.h. Just on the crossing the fireman called out: “Whistle—car —stop.” Witness said he sounded the whistle for the third time with one hand and applied the brakes with the other. The car hit the side of the engine and suffered extensive damage. It was raining fairly heavily at the time and visibility was very bad. Beresford Arnold Godfrey Jones, fireman on the engine, gave similar evidence. He said the car approached the crossing at a fast speed and heard the squeal of the brakes. There 'were skid marks approximately 18 yards long left on the road.

Dr. J. H. North, medical superintendent at the Palmerston North Hospital, said the girl Voss suffered a deep wound over the bridge of her nose and a fracture of both nasal bones, as a result of the accident.

Thelma Voss, aged 14 years, said she was asleep when the accident happened and woke up to find ner nose injured and blood over her fa«?e.

Constable G. Chapman produced a statement that Hoare had given the police in explanation or the mishap. He said he had mistaken the road at Linton, taking the road straight ahead instead of turning to the right at the top of the hill. He had not expected to traverse a railway crossing. Accused, who was counselled by Mr. G. E. Rowe, pleaded not guilty and was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in the sum of £SO.