HEAD-ON COLLISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 6

HEAD-ON COLLISION

TWO CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS DRIVING CABS SMASHED TO MATCHWOOD PA CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. Passengers-' and crews had a fortunate escape from serious injury when two trams crashed head-on, smashing the two driving cabs to matchwood, in Ferry road opposite Mackworth street at 8.16 a.m. to-day. Only one person suffered injuries necessitating admission to hospital. He was A. Kirk, a tramway motorman, of 165 St. Albans street. Kirk, who was driving the ingoing tram, suffered cuts, bruises and shock. He was taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital, where his condition was later reported to be satisfactory. Three passengers were treated as out-patients. The crash occurred in a thick fog between the 7.47 a.m. express tram from Sumner and 8.4 a.m. tram outward bound from Cathedral Square to Sumner. The trams were on a single track in Ferry road between two loops. The outgoing tram was towing two trailers and the ingoing tram one trailer. The impact threw many passengers to the floor and several of them suffered minor injuries.' One girl in the tram from Sumner became hysterical and was taken to hospital by private car. She was treated as an outpatient and discharged. The two motormen had miraculous escapes from serious injury. H. S. Ritchie, of 16 Pannell’s avenue, Avonside, the driver of the outgoing tram, suffered only a bump on the leg and did not have to be taken to hospital. The trams were locked together, blocking the line, and a wrecking gang had to use an oxy-acetylene torch to free the wrecked front portions of the trams. The line was clear by 9.45 a.m