SENSATIONAL SMASH

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1934, Page 9

SENSATIONAL SMASH

BUTCHER’S ESCAPE ON CROSSING. ROAD STREWN WITH SAUSAGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Blenheim, Nov. 12. A butcher’s van driven by Harry Ruffell, aged 51, who was accompanied by his son, Harry John Reffell, aged six, stalled on the Dublin Street railway crossing, Picton, on Saturday afternoon and was struck broadside on by the B.enheim-Picton train, being rolled over and over for a considerable distance before the train could be pulled up. Mr. Ruffell was thrown out after being carried a few' yards and escaped with a few bruises, being able to run to the boy’s assistance after the train had passed. The boy was unconscious, but quickly recovered, and though both are in hospital they are practically -uninjured and will be discharged to-day. The smash was most sensational, the van being reduced to wreckage, and the \ cinity being strewn with sausages, meat and other contents of what was virtually a travelling butcher’s shop. In the circumstances the escape of Ruffell and the boy is described as miraculous.