TRAIN HITS MOTOR-CAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 18

TRAIN HITS MOTOR-CAR

LEVEL-CROSSING SMASH AT PALMERSTON THREE ESCAPE INJURY From Our Own Correspondent PALMERSTON N„ Today. Returning from a committee meeting last evening, three well-known Manawatu bowlers had a narrow escape from death when their car was struck by a trqin at the Post Office level crossing in the Square. The car was badly damaged, but, with the exception of Mr. L. Brown, of Park Road, who was cut over the eye by flying glass, the occupants escaped injury. The driver was Mr. G. G. Wilson, of Peatherston Street, a member of the firm of Birnle, Coombs and Wilson, land agents, and with him in the front seat was Mr. A. E. Kerslake, of Grey Street, an accountant in the firm of Abraham and Williams. Mr. Brown occupied the rear seat of the car, which was a practically new sedan. The train, a goods from Woodville, driven by F. Wracklow, was approaching the Square at about 9.50 p.m. when the accident occurred. The car was approaching from the direction of the post office and had almost cleared the track when it was struck by the heavy train. It was immediately thrown clear and, spinning round, came ! to rest facing in the opposite direcj tion to that in which it had been travelling. It was very badly damaged, the back wheel, which apparently bore the brunt ! of the impact, being reduced to splinters and the whole of the left side, being crumpled up. The engine, which pulled up immediately after the accident, was undamaged. Mr. Wilson stated that he had been approaching the crossing slowly and had not seen the train until it was right on top of him. He had immediately accelerated but had failed to | clear the track.