CROSSING SMASH SEQUEL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1930, Page 5

CROSSING SMASH SEQUEL

WOMAN MOTORIST FINED. ' ECHO OF AMAZING ESCAPE. An echo of an amazing escape from death on the part of a young woman whose car stalled while crossing the railway lines in the Square at Palmerston North and was struck by an oncoming goods train was heard in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Mavis Louisa Evans was charged with failing to keep a vigilant look-out when approaching the crossing and with attempting to cross when the line was not clear. She pleaded not guilty. According to the police evidence defendant had tried to reverse her car on the line and the engine had stalled. The vehicle had been struck by a slow goods train and carried about two chains. Defendant had made a statement in which she stated she had been watching two high school girls on bicycles and a motor-lorry and had not seen the train. She admitted hearing the warning bells.

Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, who appeared for the defendant, said the case was one of misadventure. Defendant had tried to stop, but. instead of putting the car into reverse gear she had slipped into second and accelerated to such an extent that ,the car hopped forward a,s the engine stalled. Jn view of the fact that defendant had been badly cut- and bruised and had had all her teeth knocked out and had subsequently lost her employment, a light penalty was asked for. ‘ .

“She admits hearing the bells and must have known a train was in the offing,” said the magistrate. “Though people lose a lot when struck in this manner, others take risks every day. A fine of £1 was inflicted.