RAN INTO GOODS TRAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 12

RAN INTO GOODS TRAIN

MOTORIST PROSECUTED CAR DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN" CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Tuesday A plea of guilty was entered by Pichard Warren Jones, of Whangarei, in the Police Court to-day to a charge that on July 4, .being tho driver of a motor-car on tho Kamo Pond, he failed to keep a vigilant look-out when approaching the railway crossing and endeavoured to cross tho railway line when it was not clear. Senior-Sergeant Powell said that on the date in question defendant was driving along tho Kamo Poad and at tho Mair station crossing ran into a goods train coining from Hikurangi to Whangarei. The driver of the train saw the car approaching, but was unable to stop tho engino in time to avoid a collision. The engine was slightly damaged, but th 6 car was damaged beyond repair. As a result defendant had been compelled to give up business as a second-hand dealer, for which his car was^esfiontial. Defendant said lie was looking toward Mair station, expecting to see the oxpress from Whangarei at any time. When 110 saw the goods train and applied his brakes tho car skidded into the engine. The magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris, said that accused was lucky to escape with his life. As 110 had lost his car a heavy fine would not be imposed. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay the damage to tho engine, £1 Is 3d, and costs, 10s.