LEVEL CROSSING SMASH

Evening Star, Issue 20140, 3 April 1929, Page 6

LEVEL CROSSING SMASH

BAKER'S VAN DESTROYED OCCUPANTS' MIRACULOUS ESCAPE The Hanover street level crossinig was the scene of a violent collision between a shunting train and a baker’s motor delivery van about 5.3 U p.m. yesterday, the van being smashed to pieces as a result of the impact. it was owned by Messrs J. and W. Abbott, and was driven by a man named William A. Spence, who resides in Pine Hill terrace. " The latter had with him a boy, Richard Helm, but neither was seriously injured. Tlie crossing where the accident occurred leads from the lower end of Hanover street to Halsey street, and there are six sets of rails from the goods yards going north. A crossingkeeper was on duty, and was out with his flag when the train was approaching. Both train and van were travelling slowly, the speed being estimated at about seven miles per hour. The van was proceeding from Ward street, and stopped on the first set of rails, on which the train was shunting. There were about thirty trucks on the train, the leading one being loaded with metal and weighing about fifteen tons. The trucks struck the van heavily, and dragged it for about SUyds, with Spence and the boy inside. Spence received a slight cut over the knee, and u'as able to walk to the hospital to receive treatment and then proceed to his home. The boy was unhurt with the exception of minor bruises. Both were suffering from shock. The reason for the vans stopping on the rails has not yet been ascertained. The driver may have had the impression that it wins a blind line, or may have accelerated to cross the line and stalled his engine. Both Spence and the hoy had a miraculous escape from death, as they were jammed in between the scat and the hood of the van, which was crushed and smashed to pieces. Tho crossing lias been free from accidents of this kind lor some years, but that it is a dangerous one is borne out by the erection of the overhead bridge there. When tho bridge is in use the possibility of a similar happening will be eliminated.