HIT BY TRAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19986, 19 December 1934, Page 8

HIT BY TRAIN

JIGGER CARRIED ON COWCATCHER

TWO MEN INJURED By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. December 18. Two officers of the Railway Department were injured at Button’s Crossing, about half a mile south of Taupiri Station, shortly after 5 o'clock this afternoon when a motor-jigger upon which they were riding was overtaken by a mixed train proceeding from Frankton Junction to Auckland. The victims were:— A. J. Meade, aged 58. married, of Frankton Junction, inspector of permanent way, grave head injuiries, condition critical. H. W. Beasley, district engineer, Auckland, concussion and severe bruises; condition not serious. The accident occurred at a point in the line where there is a slight bend, the approach to which is obstructed by high fern. Beasley and Meade had left Frankton Junction about 3.30 and were on their way to Mercer. They were engaged in inspecting the line in preparation for the forthcoming visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Auckland. It was their intention to stay the night at Mercer, and proceed to Papakura to-morrow. The jigger involved in the accident was a large fourwheeled velocipede driven by a motor. When it was struck it was carried about seven chains on the cowcatcher of the engine before it was thrown from the line. It was completely wrecked. Beasley was knocked clear of the line, but Meade was struck by the cowcatcher. As soon as the impact occurred the train was pulled up and the driver and fireman went to the assistance of the injured men. They were taken on the train to Taupiri. The afternoon express from Auckland to Wellington was stopped, and the men were placed in the van. On their arrival at Frankton Junction they were transferred U) the Waikato Hospital. The train involved in the accident was a mixed train, and was running about quarter of an hour behind schedule time when the accident occurred. Meade, who has an adult family, has only been at Frankton about two months. Before that he was inspector of permanent way at Springfield, North Canterbury.