CROSSING SMASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22911, 19 June 1936, Page 14

CROSSING SMASH

CAR STRIKES TRAIN MARRIED WOMAN KILLED THREE PERSONS INJURED (Pee United Press Association) GORE, June 18. A crossing accident resulting in the death of a married woman, Mr? Jessie Shaw, of Balfour, and injuries to two women and two men passengers from Balfour occurred shortly after noon, when a goods train on the Tapanui branch line, travelling towards Waipahi, struck a five-scater sedan car at the crossing on the main road a quarter of a mile north Of Waipahi township. The car was proceeding north. The visibility was bad owing to heavy snow falling. The car was carried a chain and a-half before it was thrown aside.

Mrs Shaw was driving the car, and fhe other occupants were John Shaw, a farmer, of Balfour, husband of the deceased, lan Claude Butler, a farm hand, of Ardlussa, his mother, Mrs Rose Butler, and his sister, Miss Hilda Mary Christine Butler, all of Balfour.

The car was proceeding to Dunedin. It is believed that Mrs Shaw heard the train whistle but did not know from what direction it was coming. The visibility was bad due to trees and heavy flakes of snow. The driver applied her brakes and the car stopped on the rails, being hit in the centre. The force of the impact caused the door on the driver’s side to fly open and Mrs Shaw was thrown out, landing on her head on a cuttle stop, death being instantaneous. The other occupants had miraculous escapes ns they were imprisoned in the ear, which was carried a considerable distance and then thrown clear, landing on its side.

The injuries to the other occupants consist merely of bruises and shock. The deceased was 45 years of age and was born at Oaraaru. She was married some 12 months ago.