MOTOR-CAR & TRAIN COLLIDE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2805, 24 June 1916, Page 10

MOTOR-CAR & TRAIN COLLIDE

AT A RAILWAY CROSSING. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Palmsrston N., June 23, Another serious railway-crossing accident occurred this afternoon at the Taonui crossing_ just on the Palmerston side 'of Feilmng. A new motor-car driven by W. Madge, taxi-driver, Palmerston North, and containing Mr. J. Evans, buyer for Messrs Abranam and WiTTTams, anil a man and wife whose names are not yet known, was returning to ISilmerston from.Feilding. Evidently tho car was running parallel witn, am? just a few yards ahead of. the down New Plymouth express after it pulled out from Peilding station. The driver snys ho nover heard the train, but when he turned on to tho crossing, Mr. Evans, whojvas sitting with him, said, "Hello! l<soff out!" He immediately applied tho brakes, but ton late, as tho engine struck the car almost in tho centre, and tho male passenger at the back was hurled right over tho cattle-stop, and his vrifu landed some distance away. Th'o driver jumped clear and escaped injury) but Mr. Evans received a gash on the head. The express pulled up instantly, and tllo two injured people were brought to tlio Pulmprston North Hospital. They are both very seriously liurt, ns in addition' to gashes on the head and face, and apparently serious internal injuries, the lady's arm and the man's leg are broken. The motor-car was completely wrecked.

Later, The names of the parties injured .are Mr. and Mrs.- Gowtley, of.ltnanui;"in -the Taihapo district. They ha<l motored in the morning from Palmerston to Feilding (where Mr. Gowdey. Tiad purchased a big line of stock for liis farm), and were on the way back to Palmerston Show.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT. DEATH OF ONE OF THE MOTOR PARTY. • l\v Telegraph—Press : Association. Palmerston North, June 23. A fatal accident occurred on the Main Trunk line this afternoon. A tasicab, driven by — Madge, of Palmerston North, with . three passengers ■ (Mr. Evans, stock agent, Palmerston North, .Mr. K. boudy and Mrs. Goudy, farmers, Ruahui), was attempting to cross the railway line on the Palmerston side of Taonui Station, when it collided with tho New Plymouth-Wellington express.. Tho taxi was approaching from the lefthand side, going tho same way ns the train, and the driver could not see or hear the express coming. Ho went straight on to the line, where the express crashed into tho car, at an estimated speed of 4o miles. The taxi was smashed to matchwood. The driver and Mr. Evans escaped with minor injuries, but Mr. Goudy and Mrs. Goudy were thrown back on their heads on'a cattle stop, receiving very serious injuries, to which Mr. Goudy has since succumbed. Tho express pulled up,' and the injured people were 1 brought to ■ .Palmerston', and conveyed to the hospital, where Mr. Goudy died from the injuries to his lipiid; Mrs. Gondy's condition > is critical.