DRIVER SAVES HIS TRAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 209, 4 September 1934, Page 6

DRIVER SAVES HIS TRAIN

h 1 The promptness of an engine-driver e saved a. collision between two trains at e Gateshead, Durham, on July 16 from P being a. very serious one. As it is, a guard was injured and six passengers received minor hurts. Joseph Levisorq of Newcastle, the driver of a train from Newcastle to Middlesborough, was waiting outside Gateshead for a signal from his guard before proceeding. Suddenly he saw the train to South Shields coming up behind him on the same track. He il could see it was gathering speed as it y came round the bend out of the station, fl saw immediately that a crash was n certain, and at once I opened my throtr tie full out to try and get away in time, t I did not manage it, but succeeded in 5- getting my train under way, so that tr the force of the impact was much les if sened. 1 expected to see the guard 1(1 jump out. but he. stuck to his post. It d amazes me that he is still alive, for his whole van was completely ‘I wrecked.” LS Eye-witnesses of the accident all u agreed that if Mr. Lcvison had not got his train started when he did the *ol!r lision would have had terrible results. n Both trains were crowded with peo- - pie returning to their homes from work r ‘ in Newcastle. The guard’s van in which the injured guard was travelling was smashed like matchwood, and half e of its bodywork was completely shattered. 4 After treatment at a hospital. Guard Rowley was able to go home. He had a d had head wound which needed stitch--8 ing, and was suffering from shock. e ===========