MR’S MARROW ESCAPE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 11

MR’S MARROW ESCAPE

WRONG TURN AT RUGBY ROAD , I SOMERSAULT ON TO CATTLE STOP DRIVER IMPRISONED INSIDE. HAULED OFF IN FRONT OF TRAIN Failing to take the sharp turn in' the Mountain Road at the notorious Rugby Road railway crossing near Tariki when on his way to New Plymouth last night Air. Leys, of 47 Scarborough Terrace, Wellington, and hie car sped on to the cattle stop, when the car turned upside down. It remained stationary on its hood with its four wheels in the air and the driver a prisoner inside. Vainly Air. Leys kicked at the doors in an endeavour to open them, but fortunately his predicament was noticed by some men in the nearby factory, and they hastened to his aid. Tugging and pulling they released Air. Leys from his temporary prison and moved the car to the side of the rail way"line. Five minutes after they had completed this task the train rushed by. Air. Leys was rather severely cut about the head, and had to have his wounds stitched. Alter being attended to he came into New Plymouth and the car was subsequently towed into town, arriving at one o’clock this morning. One glance at it shows what a narrow escape Air. Leys must have had. The top of the hood is torn practically right away and the right side is badly smashed. Both doors on the right side are broken off and all the windows are broken, the frame itself being badly bent. The rear right bumper is bent well inwards arid the back axle is bent, while the left running board is buckled and between the rim and tyre on each wheel a plentiful supply of long grass is securely jammed. The damage indicates fairly clearly that the car in turning over was severely struck on . the right side and apparently skidded, for some distance on the hood before coming to rest-. Mr. Leys stated that he was not familiar with the road, and did not realise until too late that at the Rugby Road crossing he had to make a sharp turn to the left in order to cross the railway line.