SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1927, Page 5

SHOCKING ACCIDENT .

CROSSING TRAGEDY. Very Dangerous Place. furtherTldetails. TE KUITI, February 25. The accident at Ongarue railway crossing last evening at 5.45, whereby four of the McElroy family were killed, and three others injured, occurred at a most dangerous crossing. Mr George McElroy was a contractor and farmer at Taringamotu. He left home at 2 p.m. on Thursday, with his wife and young family, and a girl, Alice Gospodnevich, the lady help, to go blackberrying near Ongarue. On the return journey, when passing over the level crossing near Ongarue, about 5.45 p.m., the car was struck by the north-bound Limited when travelling at 25 miles an hour. The impact was terrific. The car was thrown over the cattle stops, a distance of thirty feet, and smashed to pieces. The train pulled up in its own length. The passengers’ first sight of the disaster showed two little mites emerging from the wreckage. These were taken in hand by lady passengers. Investigations showed that Mrs McElroy and a child in arms, 18 months old, had been killed instantly. McElroy was still alive, but expired when being conveyed to the van. These three were sitting in front of the car at the time. Doreen, aged 5 years, who was sitting at the back of the car, expired on th? journey to Te Kuiti. Coleen, 21 years of age, sustained a fractured leg. Patsy, aged four, is suffering from bruises and cuts on the body. None in the hospital is in immediate danger, though the extent of the injuries if not vet known.

Word was sent to a doctor at To Kuiti, who motored to Puketutu, met the train and gave every help to the sufferers. A number of the Muscovitch Company on the train rendered valuable assistance for the relief of the sufferThe crossing is particularly danger ous, and the driver saw nothing till the train struck the car. A preliminary inquest was held before the Coroner this morning, when evidence was given by the brother of the deceased man, who stated that deceased was an experienced driver, and for twenty years had held a taxidriver’s license. The inquest was adjourned sine die to obtain further evidence. OTHER-SMASHES. INVERCARGILL, February 23. The Christchurch-Invercargill express collided with a motor-car at the Edcndale crossing last night. • The car was smashed practically beyond repair. The driver, C. Leonard, escaped with a severe shaking and cuts. HAMILTON, February 25. George Warren, farmer, Okoroire, while driving a lorry, was hit by a train at Okoroire crossing oh Wednesday night, and sustained injuries from which he succumbed at Waikato Hospital. AUCKLAND, February 25. At five o’clock last evening, a van of a train being shunted into a platform at the railway station, crashed into a stop block, and came to rest. One end went through the station wall, which was damaged for some distance, and numerous advertising hoardings were torn down. In front of the van was an old ministerial car, at present being used by the Premier. This was slightly damaged. Mr Coates had left for Rotorua earlier. DECEASED’S MAN FAMILY. HAS SERIES OF MISFORTUNES. FEILDING, February 25. The late Mr. G. McElroy who was killed at the railway crossing at Ongarue was a former Feilding resident. His family has suffered a series o£ misfor notes. A little while ago his mother and sister were seriously injured in a mo tor accident. Then his brother, while driving a lorry, collided with a cyclist, who was killed. Next his father was seriously injured, through being kicked by a horse. Only last Sunday his brother’s shop and dwelling, were complete ’ly destroyed by fire. His parents are how prostrated by the tragic Ongarue Affair.