Accident Victims Progressing Wei

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1946, Page 5

Accident Victims Progressing Wei

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Investigations into the cause of the railway collision at Papatoetoe station on Saturday, when a train bound from Auckland to Papakura collided with a stationary train, have not yet been finalised.

Among those from whom reports are required is the driver of the moving train, who is still confined to his bed as a result of his injuries. When the inquiry is completed tne findings will be forwarded to the general manager of railways, who will report to the Minister of Railways. The passengers admitted to hospital are making satisfactory progress. Eleven were hurt in the crash. The injured people taken to the Auckland Hospital were: IN HOSPITAL Mr William Henry Gallagher, aged 59, carpenter. of 22 CaiTutn Road, Papatoetoe: spinal injuries; condition satisfactory. George Teriaki, aged 15, of Paerata: fractured spine and lacerations to the forehead: condition satisfactory. Mrs Inez Ruby Williams, aged 2(1. of 10 Pembroke Street, Hamilton; injuries to the back and lacerations to the left leg; condition satisfactory. Mr Donovan John Whale, aged 31. married, timber yard foreman, of 38 Carruth Road. Papatoetoe; concussion and a factured nose; condition fair.

IN CASUALTY DEPARTMENT Bruce Butler, aged 13. ol' 2 Platina Street, Remuera; abrasions to the knee. Mr George Dickson, aged 46, enginedriver, of 17 Eliot Street. Papakura; lacerated eyebrow and injury to the knee. Miss Ada Mary Hartley, aged 32, of 14 Calgary Street, Sandringham; lacerations to face, bruises and shock. Mr John Ferguson, aged 58. of James Road, Manurewa; lacerated forehead, hand and leg. Mr Desmond Illsley, aged 21, railway fireman; lacerated eyebrow and bruises. Mr Lewis McMullen, aged 39. of 43 Great South Road. Papakura: lacerated hands and bruised ankles. Mr Thomas Mortimer, railway guard, of 40 Middleton Road. Remuera; lacerations and abrasions above the left eye.

AMAZING ESCAPES The accident was one of xhe worst in railway history in the Auckland district. but casualties were amazingly light considering the force of the impact and the extent of the damage. Two Papatoetoe doctors, Dr T. E. Cafifell and Dr F. N. Sharpe, arrived at the station within a few minutes and attended to victims on the platform and in their surgeries until the arrival of three ambulances iron; Auckland. One of the ambulances brought Dr Robert Holmden and Mr Barclay Innes, senior surgical officer, from the Auckland Hospital, where preparations were made for receiving the injured people as soon as the news of the accident was telephoned. The district traffic manager (Mr F. Gembitsky) arrived at the station soon after the accident to make a preliminary investigation. He stated that the cause of the accident would be the subject of an immediate inquiry. Train Hold-Up

Hauling a heavy rake of trucks up the grade from Whangarei early this atternoon. a railway engine became immobilised as it was traversing the Manse Street crossing. Sand failed to give the spinning driving wheels a grip and the train was backed off the crossing for another attempt. Eventually the engine was successful, but only when the load had been cut in two, the second half of the trucks remaining behind.