SHOCKING TRAM ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 386, 10 April 1902, Page 3

SHOCKING TRAM ACCIDENT.

A SYDNEY MOTOR DERAILED. SYDNEY, Match 38. A sensational tram accident occurred a; North Botany yesterday, when, through the motor leaving the rails, the driver, Christopher Mead, 41, lately residing at Alexandria, was killed, and the lireman, Horace Maney, 36, o£ Paddington, severely injured. The tram was proceeding along Botany road when the accident happened. it had leit the stopping place at Coward street,. and was travelling at a fairly fast rate on the level line to King street, and had gone about half-way when the engine shot off the rails. The wheels dug deep into the roadway, but the motor still forged ahead, carrying two cars with it and scattering blue metal ill all directions. Upon reaching the Hope of the road it sank'on one side, a.td Then overtumed. The cars, however, stood upright, and the few passengers on board had a wonderful escape. The men on the engine were entangled in the mass of wreckage. For some time they were hidden from view, owing to the escaping steam, and intense excitement prevailed amongst ihe onlookers. Eventually the two men were hauled from the debtis, and it was soon seen that they were both in a serious condition. The driver was terribly scalded, from head to foot, whilst the fireman was unconscious. The latter was taken into a neighboring house, and an examination showed that his ribs were badly crushed and his body bruised in many places. Blanev, who is married, is expected to recover The driver, Mead, was placed in a city-bound tram and removed to the Svdncv Hospital. He succumbed shortly before 5 p.m. He was a married man, and leaves a wife and seven children. No reason can .<e assigned for the derailment, the tine foi some considerable distance being extremely. level.