SMASH AT A CROSSING

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 3

SMASH AT A CROSSING

TRAIN & FIVE-HORSE LORRY. PLUCKY EFFORT BY A WOMAN. (By Tolecrapli.—Press Association.) Christchuroh, Septcmbor 12. J A fatal accident occurred at the Rangiora High Street railway crossing this morning when tho incoming north express train ran (into a five-horso lorry driven by W. Banks, of Ashley, who was going for a load of coal when tho train struck his conveyanco oh tho forecarriage, cutting -the horses free with part of tho fore-carriage and whcol, the body of tho vehicle being taken over tho cattle pit, and throwing tho driver further on. Banks was badly crushed about the head and body, and lingered about half an hour without regaining consciousness. Tho keeper's son was at tho crossing to give warning, and his mother (Mrs. Humphreys), seeing J.he danger, .rushed out to rescue him, whon both were knocked down by a horse and part of tho lorry, and considerably injured. Banks was a married man with throe children. An eye-witness states that it was apparent that Banks, though a very strong man, lost oontrol of hiß team, and tliiß might have been caused by tho loud whistling of tho train. Tho lorry shot out from the buildings of the street, and instantly tho , train was seen to come on to the crossing before anything oould be done to prevent a collision. Mrs. Humphreys, tho crossing-keeper's wife, waving a green flag, made every effort to stop the lorry coming on to .the orossing, and went- right into tho middlo of the road waving the flag. The horses escaped with one wheel and part of the fore-carriage. This must havo como in contact with tho crossingkeoper's wife who was picked up severely injured. She was. for a time unconscious. Her son, seven years of age, who was standing near her, reoeived 'a severe scalp wound, and was also rendered unconscious.