LEVEL-CROSSING SMASH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 35

LEVEL-CROSSING SMASH.

DETAILS OF DISASTER. THREE KILLED INSTANTLY. PALMERSTON N., February 25. A shocking level crossing fatality occurred at Wyllie’s crossing, two miles north of Paraparaumu at 5.50 this afternoon, resulting in the death of two men and their wives. The victims are Mr and Mrs W. Fordham, Cuba street, of the firm of Fordham and Childs, auctioneers, who recently returned from a visit to the Exhibition, and Mr and Mrs Wallis, of 22 Nelson street, Wellington. A little girl named Esther Wallis, the only other occupant of the lorry, was slightly injured and is suffering from shock. The train which leaves Palmerston North at 3.43 p.m. struck the lorry laden with furniture which was being taken north to Te Horo for a Mrs Connell. The vehicle was struck full on and cut in half, the furniture being scattered for 300 yards. WELLINGTON, February 26. The two families who were victims in the unfortunate level crossing accident which occurred at Wyllie’s Crossing, near Paraparaumu, late yesterday afternoon are believed to be related. Fordham was taking a load of furniture on a lorry to Te Horo, and the others were making the trip as passengers. The Railway Department states that the crossing is* not dangerous, there being a right-angled approach, and drivers of vehicles have a clear view of the line for yards on either side; but just before the rails are reached from the Wellington side there is a slight upward rise, necessitating an increase of speed. The train was travelling at about 25 miles an hour, and hit the lorry full and square, smashing it to pieces. Three of the occupants were killed instantly, and the fourth died on the train before Paekakarilii was reached. In this case valuable work was done ov a medical student, Mr J. Hard ng who was travelling on the train. The train stopped about 200 yards from the crossing, and as portions of the lorry had got jammed into he front of the locomotive it took half an hour to clear the wreckage so that the train could proceed. The damage to the locomotive was so serious that it had to be taken off when the ti\.in reached Paekakariki. Relief trains were sent from Johnsonville and Paekakariki on receipt of news of the accident, but fortunately they were not required. Dr Cameron met the train at Paekakariki, only to find that one of the women, who was still alive when placed on the stretcher in the guard’s van at the scene of the accident, was dead. The other three bodies were brought along in the van. The little girl was brought to town and sent to hospital. Two lady passengers rendered great aid to the injured girl. Misfortune still dogged the train, for on reaching Johnsonville further delay occurred through the line being blocked by a slight mishap to another train at Khandallah. The passengers in the Palmerston North train were brought to Thorndon by another train, arriving two hours late. A resident in the district where the accident occu.red states that the crossing, in his opinion, is fairly dangerous. It is true that the actual crossing is made at right angles, and there is a clear view of an oncoming train for 300 yards, but there is a bend and hill a short distance away which is apt to claim a motorist’s whole attention, especially if lie has a full load and wishes to take the hill on one gear. This resident considers that the driver in this case would accelerate his engine to take the rise, and the train was upon him before he had time to halt. Residents of Paekakariki ” state that the two pa'ssengers were seated on the top of the lorry load Avhen passing through the township. Fordham and his wife had just returned from a visit to the Exhibition.