LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21259, 13 February 1931, Page 13

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY.

TRAIN AND CAR COLLIDE. PORT CHALMERS RESIDENT KILLED. (Special to Dailt Times.) OAMARU, February 12. A shocking fatality occurred at the Maheno railway crossing this morning when the 8 o’clock slow train from Oamaru ran into and completely wrecked a-car containing four adults and two children proceeding north on the Main South road. The driver of the car, Mr Edward Knewstubb, dockmaster, of Port Chalmers, received shocking injuries to his head and skull, to which he succumbed an hour after admission to the Oamaru Hospital. His wife suffered a broken thigh, and their daughter, Mrs Furney, of Hamner, was also injured. Both women are suffering from shock. Mr Turney and his two children had miraculous escapes, and were unhurt. With wonderful presence of mind the children were thrown clear of the line by the mother before the impact took place. Dr Orbell was soon on the scene of the accident, and gave the injured persons medical attention, and they were removed to the Oamaru Hospital by the St. John’s Ambulance.

The crossing is not considered to be a dangerous one, and is not equipped with any signalling device, as there is a clear view for some distance on either side of approaching trains. It is thought that the driver, who was proceeding to Christchurch, did not see the train till almost on the line, and in endeavouring to pull up stalled the engine on the rails, with the result that the locomotive struck the car broadside on, and completely wrecked it. On inquiry at the Oamaru Hospital at a late hour last night it was ascertained that Mrs Knewstubb was very low and in a very critical condition, and that Mrs Furney’s condition had improved, though she was suffering from severe shock.

Mr Knewstubb was born in 1859, and spent bis childhood’s days on a farm on the harbour side below Port Chalmers. His father, Mr Thomas Knewstubb, arrived in New Zealand 10 years before. Edward was the second eldest son, and his earliest recollections were associated with his grandfather's farm at Tayler’s Point. His grandfather (Mr T. Tayler, afterwards Mayor of Port Chalmers) was very friendly disposed to runaway sailors. Young “Ned” was captivated with the stories of the sea related by the sailors, as on winter evenings they sat in front of the log fires in the farmhouse kitchen.

After leaving school, Mr Knewstubb was put to learn shipwrighting and boatbuilding. Both these trades employed a number of men at Carey Bay and Port Chalmers, where the repairing of wooden ships and the building of small craft were carried on. Mr Knewstubb and his brother John built a number of craft, and all yachtsmen will recall the yacht Whitewings, which Mr Knewstubb built and sailed. The ferry steamer Tarewai at present running between Port Chalmers and Portobello was built by the Knewstubb brothers. During the gold dredging boom Mr Knewstubb was well known on the goldfields, where he built the hulls and erected dredges. Afterwards he was appointed by the Dock Trust as dockmaster in succession to the late Captain Watson. Mr Knewstubb entered the service of the Harbour Board when that body took over the functions of the Dock Trust, and he was dockmaster at the opening of the Otago nock, tne steamer Maheno entering the dock tor the official opening. Mr Knewstubb had since docked some of the largest vessels that have been docked in New Zealand and carried the work out successfully. The docking of damaged oversea steamers, including the big Norwegian whaler, entailed difficulties that were successfully surmounted. Mr Knewstubb never had a serious mishap in the docking of vessels, such as have been experienced m other ports. ■■■ , Mr Knewstubb was a member o! tne Otago Dock Trust for a time, and also served on the Borough Council a few vears ago. He was a member o Court Robin Hood. A.0.F., and was for several years past secretary of the Old Identities’ Association. The deceased was married to Miss C. Dove, and the family consists of five sons and two daughters-John Thomas, Eredenck (Malay States), Edwin (Lyttelton), Percy, and Raymond (Malay States), Miss Phyllis Knewstubb and Mrs iurner.