Three Injured in Auckland Tram Collision

Grey River Argus, 16 September 1948, Page 8

Three Injured in Auckland Tram Collision

AUCKLAND, Sept 15. A spectacular .tram smash, in which the motorman of one tram had a remarkable escape, another motorman was slightly injured and two .passengers were taken to hospital, occurred at the top of Pitt Street, about 10 o’clock this morning. The injured were: — Mrs S. Young, Jellicoe road, Panmure, shock, cuts and bruises. J. Metcalfe, Ireland Street Ponsonby; shock, cuts and possible fracture of the kneebone. F. G. Smith, motorman, Victoria Street, shock, bruises and abrasions. All were discharged from hospital after treatment, except Metcalfe who was sent to the X-ray Department... As one tram was travelling up PitStreet it suddenly switched on to the points of a siding in Beresford Street. Another .tram coming down Pitt Street had no chance of avoiding a collision. ~, . ’ . With a crash, which could be heard two blocks away, the tram going downhill struck the cabin of the other tram, wrecking part of it and pushing the vehicle off the .jam - When the collision was unavoidable the motorman of the moving tram appplied the brakes, but did not leave the cabin which shattered. Mrs Young and a child aged two were sitting well forward in the tram. The child was unharmed, but Mrs Young was thrown violently forward. . Metcalfe had a similar experience in the other tram Normal service was resumed after half an hour.