LEVEL CROSSING SMASHES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 92, 13 January 1920, Page 4

LEVEL CROSSING SMASHES

FATALITY NEAT! PALMER STON NORTH. By TolflKraph—Special Oorreapondeflt. Paimerston North, January 12. An accident which had a fatal termination happened tliis afternoon at the railway level crossing at Mon.rad Street, about a mile on the Wellington side of Paimerston North. The Napier express, which left here about twenty minutes late, was approaching the crossing when an elderly couple, Mr. and Mi>. Thomas Sandford, were seen approaching in n gig. They did not appear to see the train, and in spite of the efforts of the engine-driver, were caught right on the rails the engine crashing into the trap, killing the horse, and smashing the gig to matchwood. /Mr. Sandford when picked up was found to be suffering from shock and other injuries, but Mrs. Sandford was seriously injured. The couple were immediately removed in a motor-car to Dr. Putnam's surgery; from where the.v were sent to the public hospital man ambulance. Mrs. Sandford died from her injuries shortly after G o'clock. The condition of her husband is not considered to be serious.

Mr. Sandford is retired from business, and with his wife intended taking a trip to the Old Country shortly. The counlft had been in town, and were returning to their home in Monrad Street when Hie accident happened. It is thought that the accident is in a measure due to the fact that the Napier train was late, and the occupants of the trap thought it had gone, throng'" previously, and were not expecting the train to pass at vhat houii An inquest will b» held. TRAIN COLLIDES WITH MOTOR-CAll <>v Htv.f* Abiuoimlou. Ouncdirj, January 12. A bad accident occurred to-day at tlie railway crossing near Mosgiel, where a train from Dunedin ran ina a motor-car owned and driven by Mr. Tilbury, of Dunedin. Mrs. Tilbury, two children, and a male friend were al.so ill the car. All iwcrc more or less hurt, but the extent of ihoir injuries is mn known,

Later. The Hitmen of the persons injured are: Wilfred Herbert Tilbury, Thomas M'Ccsker, Joyce Tilbury (aged five years), and Archibald Tilbury (aged about, four years), Mr. M'Cosfcer is a brother-in-taw of ilr. T.lbuvy, aiic.l was oil a visit to Dunedin from Wellington, He is an architect in the employ of the Government, and about 50 years of age. Mr. Tilbury resides at 252 Oxford Street, }?'outh Dunedin, and is a taxi-driver. Jle is known as a careful driver. The nmbiilancc reached the scene of the accident shortly before 1 p.m., and left soon afterwards'for Dunedin Ilosp tal with Mr. Tilbury and his two children. Three doctors were quickly in attendance. With the exception of the' boy Archibald, all wero unconscious wheti Hie doctors and ambulance arrived. Mr=. Tilbury, who was too ill to be moved, died .it 3.15 p.m. at irosgiel. Jlr. M'Coster is only slightlv injured. It is understood that Mr. Tilbury is suffering from his -head. The condition ot Joyce l.ilbury is stated to be serious, but Archibald Tilbury was not badly injured.