Four Killed In Eltham Crossing Crash

Northern Advocate, 26 December 1940, Page 6

Four Killed In Eltham Crossing Crash

All Members Of One Family

[Per Press Association. Copyright .]

•N'EW PLYMOUTH; This Day. 170 UR PEOPLE WERE KILLED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A LIGHT SEDAN CAR WAS STRUCK BY THE NEW PLYMOUTH-WELLINGTON RAIL-CAR ON A LEVEL CROSSING NEAR ELTHAM.

The victims were:— Mr Leonard Archibald McPhail, 47. farmer, of Ngaere, driver of the car. Mrs Jean McPhail, 74, mother of the driver. Mrs Madge Theodoris McPhail, .‘’>7, wife of the driver. Margaret McPhail, 5. daughter of the driver. At the point where the accident occurred the railcar usually travels at'between oO and (50 miles an hour. The force of the impact was terrific. It carried' the car over the crossing, hurled out the occupants, and reduced the vehicle to a heap of twisted metal.

Rail-Car Able to Proceed,

Mr. McPhail lived a short time after the crash, but all the others were killed instantly. The rail-car, although damaged 1 , was able to go on after a short delay. The accident occurred at the Clifford Road crossing, half a mile north of Eltham station, about 4.45 p.m. The car was travelling east to the main New Plymouth road. The railway line at this point approaches the crossing through a cutting and a high bank reduces visibility for motorists. Mr. McPhail was thrown out behind the car, but the passengers were thrown ahead of it and across the line. Mr. and Mrs. McPhail and their only child lived on a farm at Ngaere. Mrs. McPhail, senr., is survived by her husband, Mr. Archibald McPhail.