NORMANDY CROSSING FATALITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 7, 3 January 1913, Page 8

NORMANDY CROSSING FATALITY.

FULLER PARTICULARS,

j The Tlawei'.a Star’ reports that the occupants of the motor-car—Freder-ick Buttenvorth and John Young—both of Opunake, were proceeding at a leisurely pace towards Eltham, but could not have heard the warning whistle of the special train, as, when they were just crossing the rails, the train dashed into the car, striking it in the centre and hurling the driver (Lutterworth) clear of the car some distance over the cattle-stops, inflicting severe scalp wounds and rendering him unconscious. The unfortunate man Young received the full force oi the impact and was carried with the car in front of the engine for some GO or 70 yards. When the train pulled up it was found that the poor fellow was dead, having received terrible injuries to the head and face. Dr. MacDiarmid was communicated with, willing helpers also proceeded to where Lutterworth lay, and after some time succeeded in bringing him round. Dr Mac Diarmid soon arrived, dressed Lutterworth's wounds, and ordered his removal to the Hawera Hospital. Young could only bo pronounced dead, he having in the doctor’s opinion been killed instantly.

The body was placed in the guard’* van, and Lutterworth in a carriage was taken on by train to Hawera ti the hospital. The car, a Ford, wav smashed to matchwood, portions of i strewing the railway for 60 or 7l yards.

The driver of the train, when Ik saw that an accident was inevitable applied the Westinghouse brake, aiu the train was pulled np within abou 80 yards, the sudden stoppage throw ing passengers from their seats. Th driver had sounded the usual warning whistles. The deceased was a single man, aget 3-4, and resided at Opunake, wher he was engaged in the blacksmith’: trade. Frederick Butterworth ha been in business in Opunake as ; billiard saloon proprietor. Both mei were well known and popular in th< district. Upon enquiry at the hospital yes terday morning, a ‘Star’ reportei learned that Butterworth had passe-: a fair night, but his condition is sti! regarded as serious. Mr. Butterworth is a son of thlate Mr. James Butterworth, of Nev Plymouth, and a brother of Mrs. G W. Browne (Mayoress). Mr. John Young, whose parents re side at Manaia, was well known ii Opunake. On Wednesday morning h had officiated as best man at the wed ding of his friend, Mr. Thorp, store keeper, of Opunake. After the wed ding he drove the newly married cou pic to Hawera, where they took trail for Wanganui. He then loft Hawor; for Stratford, with the intention, it i. supposed, of attending the races. I‘ was on this journey that he met wit) Ids fatal accident. Mr. Young was ■. P.M. of the Ikaroa Lodge, No. 115 Opunake, of which Mr. Thorp is tin present master. The funeral takes place at Manaia to-day, at onr o’clock, and will doubtless be attended by a large number of the Masonic fraternity. THE INQUEST. (Per Press Association.) Hawera, January 2. At the inquest held this afternoon te aching the death of John Young the evidence showed that the usual warning whistles were sounded by th: driver. It was also stated that the crossing was a dangerous one, the public view being obstructed. At the request of a juryman tin enquiry was adjourned for one weel> so as to get the evidence, if possible of Frederick Butterworth, driver ol the car, who is in the hospital suffering from concussion of the brain. Hi: condition is still regarded as serious.