1 KILLED; 3 INJURED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8329, 15 January 1913, Page 8

1 KILLED; 3 INJURED

LEVEL CROSSING TRAGEDY NAPIER MOTORING PARTY STRUCK BY A TRAIN. Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 14. News was received in Helensville shortly before 12 o’clock that the North Tehana-Helensville train, due at Kaukapakapa at 11.30, had collided with a large white motor-car at a crossing near the Kaukapakapa railway station, and that one, of the occupants of the car had been killed. A special train, with a doctor, nurse, and constable, proceeded to the scene, and it was found that a car occupied by Mr and Mrs Dudley Hill, Mrs Prank Gordon, and Sir Denton Tanner, of tho Hawke’s Bay district, had run into an engine, the occupants being thrown out.

Dr Meinhold pronounced life extinct in the case of Mrs Gordon. Mrs Hill was not badly injured, but was extensively bruised and suffering from shock. Mr Tanner suffered a bad fracture of the left knee; also severe cuts and bruises over the head and body. Mr Hill had two ribs broken and severe cuts and bruises over tho body, and head and face.

All the injured should recover. Mr Tanner and Mrs Hill, who were seated in the back of the car, state they have no recollection how the accident happened—it was so sudden. Mr Bill, who was driving tho car, states that ho was not aware of the crossing. As he was looking ahead he noticed no sign, and did not hear tho train whistle. Mrs Gordon was seated beside Mr Hill.

The party was from Hawke’s Bay, on a touring trip. Messrs Hill and Tanner are sheepfanners, Mrs Gordon being the wife of Mr Frank Gordon, of Hawke’s Bay. Mrs Hill and Mrs Gordon were sisters, and Mr Tanner a brother, their father being Mr Thomas Tanner, one of the oldest and most highly respected farmers in the Hawke’s Bay district. The railway crossing where the accident occurred is a very dangerous one.