MOTORCAR FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15201, 15 January 1913, Page 8

MOTORCAR FATALITY.

COLLISION WITH A TRAIN.

ONE KILLED, THREE INJURED

ALL FROM HAWKE'S BAY.

CAR WRECKED AND ENGINE DAMAGED.

A DANGEROUS CROSSING.

I'BT TELEGRAM.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.']

Helensville, Tuesday. A shocking motor accident, resulting in, one death and move or less serious injuries to three other persons, occurred at a level railway crossing at Kaukapakapa this morning about half-past eleven clock. A large, -white car, containing Mrs. Frank Gordon, Mrs. Dudley Hill, Mr. Denton Tanner, and Mr. Dudley Hill, all residents of Clifton, Hawko's Bay, left Auckland yesterday morning, the party intending to tour the North Auckland district, proceeding as far as tho roads would permit them towards North Cape. , High Hedge Obscures Line. The motorists passed' through Helensville shortly after 11 a.m., and had reached the level crossing on the north side of the Kaukapakapa railway station, when the car ran at right angles into the engine of the morning train from Te Hana to Auckland. Mr. Hill was driving the car, and he states that he was not aware that there was a railway crossing at this point, nor did ho hear any engine whistle. There is a high hedge "along the road, hiding the line, and there is a dip in the highway, making it impossible to see the railway line until the vehicles are right on top of it. Smashed to Pieces. • Mr. Hill, seeing that he could not cross tho line, attempted a sharp turn, hut the engine struck the near wheel of tho car. So forceful was the impact that the car turned an almost complete somersault, landing on its side and being smashed to pieces. The occupants were . all thrown out. Killed and Injured. . Mrs. Frank Gordon was killed instantly. The injuries sustained by the others were: . ' , ■'.".' :. ' Mr. Dudley Hill: Two broken ribs and head, face, and body severely cut and bruised. ' >.:' Mr. Denton Tanner:' Fractured knee, cuts and bruises. .Mrs. Dudley Hill: Extensively bruised, and suffering from shock. ' The news quickly reached Helensville, and Dr. Meinhold, with Nurse Sewell and Constable Driscoll, reached the scene almost immediately by special train. Mrs. Gordon's body was taken to the Terminus Hotel at Helensville, and the three injured persons were sent to a. private hospital. ,-~ Train Unable to Proceed. ; • The engine, which was in the charge of Driver Lucas,, was so badly damaged by

■ the impact that the train could not proceed, the piston-rods having been bent. Lucas states that he did not see the car coming, owing to, the obstructed view of the road.. . • .■'..■' •':';;.: ;-' ' ; V' : ' ;: ' : - : '- ; .''"<

Mrs. ; Gordon was a sister of Mrs. Hill and a brother of Mr. Tanner, their father being Mr. Thomas Tanner, one of the oldest "and most highly-respected sheepfarmers of the Hawke's Bay district. Messrs. Hill and Tanner are also farmers from the same locality. The party had been staying < at Glenalvon during their visit to Auckland. • , ■■:■■

Dr. Meinhold stated this evening that with care the three injured motorists should recover, as * there is so far no evidence of their having ,'. sustained internal injuries.' An inquest on the body of Mrs. Gordon will be held here to-morrow morning. Great ißisk of Accident. This .accident has again directed attention to the dangerous nature of the level crossing, and the residents of the locality have repeatedly urged that this particular, one should be attended to by the Railway Department. 'It is pointed out that there is a heavy motor .traffic along this route, : making • the risk from - accident doubly great. . ( A general feeling against the level crossing, was also expressed in Auckland yesterday, when the news of the fatality came to hand, and attention was drawn to the one near the railway station platform at Auckland, leading to the wharves. It is said that narrow escapes from serious accidents occur almost daily at this point.