CROSSING TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1926, Page 1

CROSSING TRAGEDY

NEAR KAAIAKA

BLACKBALL RESIDENT KILLEI

(Grey Argus)

A fatal accident, due to a motor car smash on the dangerous railway crossing at Spring Creek, about half a mile this side of Kamalca, occurred at about 6.10 p.m. on Saturday, whereby one of the occupants of the car involved died from the effects of her injuries, and the other two occupants were injured. The victim to succumb was Airs Mary Ann AYolstenholme, about 00 years of age, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Blackball where her relatives have long been engaged in the butchery business. In addition, another Blackball resident, Arts Margaret Caldwell, sustained verysevere injuries, while Miss Wolsteuliolmc, of Blackball, daughter of the deceased, sustained shock and minor abrasions. It appears that the deceased, in company with her daughter, Aliss Margaret AVolstenholme and a third woman, Airs Margaret Caldwell, of Blackball, were returning by car from Grovmoutli to Blackball. Aliss AVolstenholme alone in the front seat, was driving, while the other two occupants were in the rear seat. *At the time that the car was approaching the crossing, where visibility is very limited, the Blackball train that follows half an hour after the Reefton express each Saturday evening to Greymouth, was also nearing Spring Creek, and the loco man, Driver Moorhouse, whistled the train’s approach, hut the driver evidently hoard no warning until the car almost was upon the line. The engine struck tile motor just behind the front seat, carrying it along a few feet, while Aliss AYolstenliolme was thrown forward a distance of nine feet, and Mrs Caldwell about five feet. Airs AYolstenholme, however, was thrown out under the miul guard, upon her extrication from which she was found to be very seriously injured about the head. Mrs Caldwell was found to have a fractured jaw, scalp wounds and an injured wrist. Aliss AA’olstenholmo was the less unfortunate, her injuries, apart from the shock, being confined to abrasions. The two seriously injured were placed in the guard’s van of the train for conveyance to the Grey River Hospital, but on the journey the injuries of Airs AVol.stenholmo proved fatal. Airs Caldwell

was conveyed to the Hospital, where her condition was reported last night to be showing a definite improvement, after a comfortable day. The Railway Department should he urged to make some effort to minimise the great danger at the Spring Creek crossing, which has been a bug-bear to motorists from far and near.