TREMENDOUS IMPACT

Southland Times, Issue 22486, 22 January 1935, Page 5

TREMENDOUS IMPACT

EXPRESS HITS LORRY.

TWO MEN’S NARROW ESCAPE.

(Per United Press Association.)

Wellington, January 21.

Two men had a remarkable escape from death when a lorry on which they were travelling , was wrecked in a spectacular collision with the New Plymouth to Wellington express that afternoon about half a mile north of Paekakariki. The lorry and a load of mixed goods were completely destroyed. J. Irving, the driver of the lorry, of Bell street, Otaki, is thought to have a fracture of the left leg and injuries to the right leg and arm. His companion, A. McNeilage, an engineer, of Abel Smith street, Wellington, has a broken right thigh and an injury to his right hand. They were taken to the hospital after the train brought them to Wellington. All indications are that the impact was tremendous. Apparently the vehicle was struck at the rear when nearly across the rails. The cab was knocked off and the chassis completely wrecked, the debris being strewn 50 yards along the track. The front of the locomotive was considerably damaged, but it was able to draw the express to Paekakariki, where it was changed for another locomotive.