LORRY WRECKED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 100, 22 January 1935, Page 10

LORRY WRECKED

Spectacular Crossing Accident MEN ESCAPE DEATH Express Stopped Near Paekakariki Two men had a remarkable escape from dealli when the lorry in which they were travelling was wre< ked in a spectacular collision with tin* New Ply-mouth-Wellington express yesterday afternoon at McKay’s Grossing, about half a mile north of Paekakariki. The large lorry and its load of mixed goods were completely destroyed, and the men received injuries which required their removal to hospital after the 'rain had brought them to Wellington Mr. J. Irvitjg, the driver of ilte lorry, who livps at Bell Street, Otaki, is thought to have a fracture of his left leg and injuries to his rigti' leg and right arm, and last night was suffering also from shock. His companion. Mr. A. MeNeilage, engineer, of Abel Smith Street, Wellington, lias a broken right thigh, a contused left eye. and an injury to his right hand. They were taken to hospital by the Free Ambulance when the train arrived in Wellington last evening. The crossing is the first one on the main road north of Paekakariki, and was the scene of a serious accident several years ago, when the occupants of a lorry which was struck by a train were killed. Alterations were then made to the surroundings of the crossing. and it is now not generally ranked as a danger spot. A.ll indications are that the impact was tremendous. A passenger on the express states that the first thing those on the train noticed was a lorry wheel careering across a paddock. The express pulled up almost within its own length. Apparently the vehicle had been struck at the rear when it was nearly across the rails. Its freight of fruit, fruit boxes, and other goods had been destroyed and scattered in all directions. The cab had been knocked off and the chassis completely wrecked, tlie debris of tlie accident being strewn about fifty yards along the track. A boot worn by one of tlie men is said to have been found fifty yards down the itne from the crossing and his overcoat was on the locomotive Two nurses were on the train, and they attended to the injured men, and a doctor arrived from Paekakariki. They were placed on the train, which continued its journey slowly to Paekakariki. There the locomotive was replaced with another locomotive and the train arrived at Thorndon at 6.53. having been delayed 50 minutes. Although the locomotive was able to draw the express to Paekakariki, the front of it was considerably damaged. ’Phe cattle stops at. the crossing also were damaged. The lorry was the property of Mr. J. Cooksley, Otaki.