TRIM SMASH!

Evening Star, Issue 24285, 28 August 1942, Page 2

TRIM SMASH!

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE A REMARKABLE INCIDENT At approximately 9.10 this morning a deput-bouud car telescoped tho rear of a St. Kilda tram near tho corner of Carroll and Princes street south. Both cars suffered damage, that to tho rear of the St. Kilda tram being extensive, but except for superficial cuts sustained by Conductor J. AValker, who was in the leading St. Kilda conveyance, no other injury has been reported.

A remarkable incident which occurred shortly after tho smash has been mentioned by Air AV. B. Richards, president of tlie Tramways Union. While tho injured conductor was lying on the footpath awaiting medical attention, a young lady appeared from out of the blue with bandages, and all the necessary medical appliances. She promptly had the hurt man bandaged and attended to in perfect manner, and then, just as she had come, she silently disappeared into the blue again. No one knew her name—she asked no thanks.

Mr Richards, speaking on behalf of tho union, said that they could not allow the happening to pass without giving public thanks to the unknown lady. She was a credit to whatever organisation she belonged to. Air AV. H. Mackenzie, city transport manager, said ho could not recall when a similar collision had last occurred in Dunedin. He said the city had been particularly free from tram mishaps, and was noteworthy in this respect. Tho extensive damage done to both cars would take two or three weeks to repair; and it would mean some_ inconvenience to the running services, particularly about 5. o’clock, to have two big cars off the road. The cause of tho accident had not yet been ascertained; there were no passengers in the depot-bound car, and very few in the St. Kilda tram. A ‘ Star ’ reporter examined both cars this morning, and it was evident that the impact had. been severe. The three front windscreens, together with wood framing on the depot car were badly smashed, tho heavy steel bumper was buckled, together with damage to the headlight and destination box. The rear end of the St. Kilda tram _ was completely staved in and extensively damaged. One small hut nevertheless remarkable fact stood out above everything else—amidst damage and destruction, the electric light hulhs in tlie head and rear lamps of each tram had remained intact.