SERIOUS INJURIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 273, 19 February 1941, Page 5

SERIOUS INJURIES

ACCIDENT AT MATATA RAILWAY JIGGERS COLLIDE Early on Monday morning two railway jiggers collided at a bend in the line near Otamarakau, with the result that Mr Walter Law, of Matata, lies seriously injured in the Whakatane hospital. He suffered a fractured skull an,d severe facial injuries and his condition is serious. As far as could be gathered front ! the information gained from Mr Fleming, of T'e Puke,, who was the other railway man involved in the smash, and who escaped with only minor injuries which necessitated several stitches, the jiggers, met on a fairly sharp bend where visibility was limited. One was travelling at about 30 m.p.h. downhill and, the other approximately 20 m.p.b. up the grade and, no!icing each other just before the impact, the men endeavoured to leap clear. At the spot substantial fillings are being made orv the side of the track and this work is being done with large jagged rocks. It is thought that Mr Law struck one of these with his head. When brought to the Matata railway station Mr Law was unconscious, but for & short time regained consciousness and appeared to be not very seriously hurt. However, on being removed to the Whakatane hospital it was found that he had sustained a fractured skull. An operation was performed yesterday morning and the latest report is that his condition is still serious, but that he appeared more comfortable this morning.