CROSSING SMASH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 11

CROSSING SMASH

FIVE PEOPLE HURT

MAN, WIFE, AND CHILDREN

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

A family of five persons were injured when the car they were travelling in was struck by the south-bound Napier express at the Sheehan Street railway crossing, Shannon, yesterday afternoon. Those injured are: — Arthur John Hodge, aged 46, of Moutoa, Foxton, sharemilker, driver of the car, injuries to the head, left leg, and right wrist; condition not serious. Alice Hodge, his wife, aged 40, broken bone in the face, bruises, and shock; condition not serious. Bertha Hodge, aged 17, fractured left thigh, bruises,', and cuts; condition serious. Dorothy Hodge, aged 6, fractured left thigh, fractured skull; condition very serious. Edwin Hodge, aged 2, fractured col-lar-bone; condition not serious. The car, an old model tourer, was proceeding into Shannon from the direction of Foxton. The train which was travelling at not more than 20 miles an hour, struck the car on the front left-hand side and carried it about 50 yards down the line. All the occupants were thrown out, except Dorothy who had to be removed from the car.

The escape of the boy, Edwin, was remarkable. After the accident he was found lying on the grille of the cattle stop close beside the line, the full length of the train having apparently passed over him, only the elevation of the actual track having saved him from a shocking death.

Two ambulances were quickly on the scene and, after receiving medical attention the injured persons were taken to the Palmerston North Hospital.

The car which came to rest right side up, was practically wrecked.

The crossing is the same one at which Mr. Val Croon was killed a few months ago.