KILLED AT CROSSING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 12

KILLED AT CROSSING.

TRAIN AND LORRY COLLIDE. LINESMAN'S FATAL INJURIES. SIX OTHERS ESCAPE LIGHTLY. ACCIDENT AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCEIUIiCII. Thursday A Public Works Department lorry, carrying seven workmen, crushed into tho 8.55 a.m passenger train from Christchurch to Lyttolton at the Gad's Road Crossing on the city sido of the Woolston Station to-day As a result Mr Sumuel Thompson, aged 28, a, linesman, was so seriously injured that ho died before reaching tlie Cliristchurch Hospital. Tho other men wero injured slightly and were treated at tho out-patients' department. Details are as follows Samuel Thompson, single, of St. Albans, killed. Thomas Orawfftrd, driver, shock. Albert Bischeskie, ganger, cuts on face and forehead. R. Osborne, linesman, bruises. Carl 0. Richardson, linesman, bruises and injuries to bo determined by X-ray examination. P.' Clougfa, linesman, injured back. C. DaviSdn, linesman, bruises. Tho men wero employed in tho distribution branch and wero to engago on what is known as tho "last pull" on tho 11.000-voit supply line from tho Addington sub-station for tho electrification of tho Lyttelton-Christchurch line. Fivo of tho mon, including Thompson,- were on the rear of tho lorry, on which there was a load of ladders and other gear.

As the lorry drew ncai the crossing the driver swerved slightly to avoid a coal truck which was crossing the lines. When the lorry was almost on the rails he saw the train approaching and, with a violent twist of the steering wheel, tried to turn the lorry parallel to the rails. He was too late, however. The engine was running backwards and tho rear ot the cab struck the back of the lorry with u great deal of force, driving it across tho cattle-stops. Thompson was on tho side of the lorry which received tho impact from the engine. The train was pulled up within llireo chains. At tho time of the collision rieithei the lorry nor the train was travelling very fast. The lorry was not badly damaged and was towed away soon afterward. An inquest concerning Thompson's death was opened this afternoon and adjourned.