FATAL ACCIDENT ON LEVEL CROSSING

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 146, 16 March 1921, Page 4

FATAL ACCIDENT ON LEVEL CROSSING

MOTOR CYCLIST COLLIDES WITH 1 EXPRESS.

By Telegraph.—Special OorreepondenL Feilding, March 15. Just about 3 o’clock this afternoon the firebells pealed an alarm, and Foreman Farnsworth, of the Feilding lire Bngade, jumped on his motor-cycle in response to tho call. He was soon travelling at a high rate of speed along tho street running parallel with the railway track, and immediately in front of the down New Plymouth express. Evidently the noise of the cycle engine er eluded all other sounds, for on reaching Grey Street he swung to the right and. attempted to fake tho level crossing. To the horror of the engine-driver and the crowds of passengers on the tram, who had a good view of the cyclist, he turned right on io the crossing, then for the first time lie got a view of the express, which was only a few yards off, and bearing down upon him-. He tried to avert a dißaster by. shooting to tho left and running parallel with the engine. It was too late, however, and he struck the side of the train, the impact throwing him over a cattle stop. The train was pulled up as soon as possible. It was quite apparent that fatal injuries had been inflicted. In the absence of an ambulance Farnsworth wa put on a carrier’s express wagon for removal to the hospital, but he died on the way. He was about 30 years of age, nnd leaves a widow and four young The fire was only a grass one after all.