Rangiora Fatality.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1923, Page 3

Rangiora Fatality.

Unrltier particulars of Hie I'atahly .-,( Raiigiora on '! hur-day niglit stale All- Slewart. teller in the local branch of the I'liiou Bank left Ids re-id-nee in Ayers Street, a lew chains north of ihe railway crossing, about A.“:l p.ni. on Id- motor-cycle with side chair, to go to Southbrook to obtain the keys of a “bach" at the Waikuku beach wlii'-h lie had arranged to rent for a seaside holiday. From Mr 'thwart's gate to the crossing there is an lUKih-1 rin-icl view of the line for ncar1, a ,j(ctrtcr of a mil- in the direction trom which train i'n-m tlx lord was ju-'l then apiiroacliiiig the erossing at a speed of I'iiim twenty to twenty-live i» - j,.'r hour. Tim engine-driver ~,ll'uf d Ihe w 1 1 isi!-. some di- lance !'(■,,,„ the crii'-sing. hut either Mr Stewaii did nut observe the train oi it ■as too late 111 pull " !>. ( r el- i •«' | s ,i he could get across the line ;' j-” j , <( c |j I low ever, the engine- . im to'' cyi lc. when it was I ;.,-, i H,.. rails, i’.-i! threw il into the ditch on the stmtii side ol tin' dim ah,ml a d"' / "n yard* h-yond the caUle stop. Mr Stewart wa- evidently earrmil on the env.-eati lu t in ( < lor alioin a i hair, and then It il "U . and wa- slim kingly mangled ahnui the h‘g ß ~go sustained a deep wound at I,,ir t!m head. The train was nulkd up liftv-cight yards hcymid tlie crossing. -Mr Stewart who was tn a dviio' condition, was placed on boatd mid "inLett to Dm Uangiora .Station. u .t,,..,. ; ~ was attended by Dr L M. Alien, b'ut expired about twenty nitnu,C after the accident. I'"' fireman „| ti," "iigr.t". -bti'f.t I'billip.*. Mates that be saw Mr Stewart approaching the eivssittg at a speed, .am . lit.yinif * In*n.* would hr an m-tiucnL called to De driver. Hugh Henderson, who promptly applied the brakes and ~ !,at he ciittld to avert a collision. 4: id loarl'-H on the roadway show tout \;,- Su".vart applied. Ids io-akp four--1,. ,i yards from the line, and cut e: - . ot tied Id swerve his machine mto th fence, hut lim side-i imir apparontK prevented him It'"’' l torii'Og.