TRAMWAY DANGERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14219, 16 November 1909, Page 6

TRAMWAY DANGERS.

A " LIVE" CAR.

[BY TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchuiich, Monday. A number of team conductors, who were returning to Christchurch from the Riccarton Racecourse on a double-decked car on Saturday, had a sensational experience of the powers of electricity. One of the arms at an electric pole near the new shed at Sockburn had bent under the strain of the trolley-wire, and when the car passed under it the trolley-pole was pressed down until it came into contact with one of the steel guards on top of the car. Immediately there was a short circuit. The trolley-wire fused, giving forth a big electric flame, and burnt through. One length fell to the ground, and the other remained in contact with the car.

The car was "alive," and the conduc--1 tors, who were on top of the car, with considerable calmness stood perfectly still and away from the metal wire. That fell to earth, touched one of the rails, and in an instant 'burnt through it.

Motor - Inspector Richardson, with promptitude, drew on his rubber gloves, and freed the car of the wire, thus allowing the conductors to vacate a dangerous position. " '

The damage done was slight, but had there been passengers in the car at the time of the accident, the result might have been serious, as passengers in their endeavours to climb down would have touched the metal railings and received the force of the electric current pouring into them..

A CONDUCTOR'S SACRIFICE. [BY TELKGRAI-H.rRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Monday. It appears that Frederick Ashton, a tramway conductor, employed on the New Brighton line, who was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, suffering from serious injuries caused through coming into contact with a tramway pole, was conducting a car to New Brighton. Near the tram bridge the line makes a sharp curve, and on this curve a passenger, who had forgotten to get off at the stoppingplace, attempted to alight. Ashton, in trying to prevent this. foolish act, overbalanced himself, and fell on the back of his head, striking one of the wooden tramway poles, and fracturing his skull. He was picked up in an unconscious condition, and taken ,to the hospital. He is reported to be progressing favourably.