CROSSING COLLISIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 10

CROSSING COLLISIONS.

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT.

LORRY GREATLY DAMAGED.

LUCKY ESCAPE OF DRIVER[by telegraph.—own correspondent. ] . WANGANUI, Wednesday. As already reported briefly, a sensational smash occurred last evening when a lorry owned by Messrs. J. B. Gilberd and Sons ran into the Palmerston NorthWanganui mixed train. The driver of the lorry, Mr. Jack Cooper, had a remarkable escape from serious injury." The lorry, which weighed 4 tons 15cwt., was carrying a load of furniture from. New Plymouth to Wanganui and was proceeding down Guyton Street in the direction of Spriggen's Park. The lorry's two headlights appeared to fade into the shiny surface of the road. Mr. Cooper proceeded to cross the railway line when he collided with one of the carriages of the train.

At the sound of the crash the brakes were applied immediately and the train was brought to a standstill.

The driver stated that he did not see the train until he was within a few feet of it. He did not see the Engine cross the intersection, nor did he see the trucks. The lorry crashed into the first carriage, staving .in the side slightly and smashing a window. There was only one passenger in the carriage. The lorry was valued at £I2OO. The vehicle was badly damaged as a result of the collision. The radiator was ripped nearly off, the right-hand wheel was badly crumbled, and the mudguard was thrown about 6ft; away. Woodwork- from' the cabin side of the lorry was torn to matchwood and was thrown 10yds. away. The furniture was transferred to another lorry by 10 o'clock and the lorry was towed aside to allow late trains to pass.