TRAIN AND BUS COLLIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 12

TRAIN AND BUS COLLIDE.

NEW LYNN LEVEL CROSSING. DRIVER SAVED BY PASSENGER. In a collision between a motor-bus and a train at the level crossing at Totara Avenue, New Lynn, on Thursday evening, the driver of the bus, Mr. Edward Thomas Gibson, of Avondale, was narrowly saved by a passenger from being thrown under tho wheels of the train. Neither the driver nor the passenger was hurt and tho bus. was not extensively damaged. The bus, which was one of the General Omnibus Company's vehicles, bound from the* city to New Lynn, approached the crossing about 10 o'clock with Mr. Thomas Russell George, of New Lynn, as the only passenger. Mr. Gibson states that he slowed down and looked up and down the line before slowly approaching it. As he neared the rails the usual north-bound Henderson train appeared, and though Mr. Gibson at once applied the brakes he could not avoid a collision with the engine. The shock of the collision threw Mr. Gibson from his seat through the door of the bus, but Mr. George seized him by the legs and held him as he hung out of the door until the train pulled up and he could be removed from his dangerous position.

Fortunately the train was slowing down to stop at tho New Lynn station at tho time of the collision. The radiator of the bus was damaged and the engine pushed back on the chassis.

Including Thursday evening's accident there have been three accidents of this kind in the last two years at this spot. The line, when approaching from the city, is obscured on the left side by a hoarding and there is no bell to give warning of the approach of trains, despite the fact that the crossing is in the centre of the suburb.

TRAMOAR AMD TRUCK.

MOTORMAN SUSTAINS WOUND,

A collision between one of Winstone, Limited's, motor-trucks and an outwardbound Iramcar occurred in Anzac Avenue yesterday morning. The truck, which carried a heavy load of sand and scoria, as well as timber, was travelling a few yards ahead of tho tram when tho vehicle suddenly swerved, causing a projecting piece of timber to crash into the forepart of tho tram. Portion of the woodwork was smashed and the front glass shattered, while the motorman, Mr. J. McClymont, received a severe cut on his right thumb. No one else was injured, and the lorry escaped damage.

LORRY AND MOTOR-CAR. DAMAGE NOT EXTENSIVE. A half-ton lorry, driven by- Mr. F. Flannigan, collided with a motor-car owned and occupied by Dr. P, Findlay, and driven by his chauffeur, Mr. R. Lincoln, at the corner of Point Chevalier Road and Weka Street yesterday morning. Nobody was injured, and only slight damage was done to both vehicles. MOTOR-CYCLISTS IN COLLISION. TEACHER'S LEG FRACTURED. A collision occurred between motorcyclesi ridden by Mr. Leslie Witton, schoolteacher, and Mr. Alfred Hall, both of New Lynn, near the Croydon Road railway station yesterday afternoon, as a result of Mr. Witton sustained a fractured right leg. The injured man was conveyed to the Auckland Hospital.