CROSSING SMASH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17462, 13 February 1925, Page 1

CROSSING SMASH.

ON RICCARTON ROAD. MEAT VAN HITS TRAIN. The Riccarton railway crossing was the scene of an accident at 6.45 a.m. to-day, when a. motor meat van, driven, by a man named N. J. Percy, ran into the meat train from Belfast. The radiator, bonnet and front wheels of the van were smashed, but the wind shield was not broken, and Percy escaped unhurt. A lad named Ernest M. Percy, who was sitting with the driver, was thrown out. but escaped with minor scratches. Percy, who drives for his brother, who is a meat contractor from Sockburn, was journeying to town with a load of meat when he met the train on the crossing. He observed the train too late to avoid a head-on collision, and hit one of the trucks on the train, which proceeded on its way, the driver apparently being unaware that an accident had taken place. Inquiry this morning elicited the information from Mr Hall, whose home adjoins the railway line at this point, that he and his sister distinctly hoard the engine whistle: The side of the crossing where the accident happened is regarded as the more dangerous of the two, as there is very little chance of hearing or seeing a train approaching. Percy stated that his view of the crossing was obscured

by trees on a property at the crossing, and that he did not hear the tram whistle. The trees are to be lopped by the Riccarton Borough Council employees to-day. This crossing is the one that was illustrated in yesterday's “ Star, showing a locomotive actually on the crossing. ft is one of the most dangerous crossings in New Zealand, and lias been the scene of many accidents.