ACCIDENT ON THE CHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 328, 26 April 1881, Page 2

ACCIDENT ON THE CHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

An accident happened on the railway last night at the Colombo street crossing (says the Press) which, but for the most fortunate chance, might have resulted fatally to several persons. It appears that Mr James Holt, of St. Asaph street, was driving into the city from Sydenham in a trap, which contained also his wife, two other females, and two children. It was nine o’clock, and the night was intensely dark. When approaching the railway crossing at the point indicated, the road appeared clear, and Mr Holt drove fearlessly through the gates, and saw nothing near him, but w T hen little more than half-way across the lines, the vehicle was struck violently by a railway truck, and the occupants were thrown out. The train stopped immediately when the accident occurred, the engine driver at the rear of the trucks having caught sight of the carriage lamps. But for his pi-omptitude the consequences must have been dreadful oven to think of. The trap was smashed to pieces, but fortunately the occupants escaped with whole limbs. Mr Holt sustained a nasty cut on the side of his face, but was otherwise unhurt. Mrs Holt suffered more severely, being very much bruised about the head, and the other two females were bruised and considerably shaken ; the children escaped injury. The horse was also unhurt. According to the statement of Mr Holt there was no light sufficient to show anything moving on the crossing, and there was apparently no one engaged in shunting ; but to the promptitude of the engine driver he is anxious to testify. It was a most wonderful escape, and, under all the circumstances, the victims of the accident may be congratulated that it was no worse.