LEVEL CROSSING SMASH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5093, 25 February 1927, Page 2

LEVEL CROSSING SMASH.

TRAIN WRECKS MOTOR-CAR;

FOUR OF FAMILY KILLED.

PARENTS AND TWO CHILDREN.

TE KUITI, February 24.

A shocking accident occurred at a level crossing about, one and a half miles north of Ongarue railway station early this evening, when the north-bound daylight limited crashed into a five-seater motor-car driven by Mr George Mcllroy, a well-known farmer and contractor, of Tai'ingamotu, and containing his wife, four young daughters, and a domestic, Miss Tostogovioh. aged 19.

Mr Mcllroy, his wife, and baby in arms, who were in the 'front sea:, were killed outright, while another young daughter died of terrible injuries shortly atferwards. The three others were all injured and were removed t<< Te Kuiti Hospital.

The party had spent the day gathering blackberries, and were on the way home when the accident occurred. The crossing is regarded as particularly dangerous, and it is impossible to obtain a clear view of the railway line on the side from which the car approached. Mr Mcllr () y evidently did not see the train, which was travelling at about 25 miles an hour until he was on the line, and before he could get clear the engine had crashed into the car. The motor was carried for about 30»ft. over the cattle-stopS and smashed to pieces. The railings round the cattle-stops were struck by the car as it was dragged past and were considerably damaged at one end.

A passenger who was in the carriage behind the engine said the whole thing occurred in a flash. He was looking out of the window and saw the car on the line a second before the crash.

The train crew and several passengers immediately ran back, and found the seven occupants of the car lying on the road.

The bodies of Mr and Mrs Mcllroy and the infant were placed on the train, together with the Misses Kathleen and Colleen Mcllroy, Miss T°stogovitch, and the other little girl, who, however, had one leg almost severed and died shortly before the train set out for Te Kuiti.

On arrival at Te Kuiti about two hours later the three injured were removed to the hospital, where Miss Tostogovitch was found to- be suffering from a 'fractured arm, injuries to the 'back, and severe shock. The condition of the two younger girls is. not regarded as serious. An inquest will be opened here to-morrow morning. A PASSENGER’S STATEMENT. VICTIMS TERRIBLY INJURED. “It was the worst thing I have ever seen,” said a passenger on arrival in Auckland last evening. When the train stopped he went forward and found the motor-car completely wrecked, and the victims were being picked up. He -helped to move the victims. Mr Mcllroy, he said, was unconscious, but still alive, although he died in a very short time. The mother was dead, her injuries apparently being in the head. The infant was also dead when picked up, but another child was stjll breathing although her injuries were terrible and she did not survive long. The passenger described the crossing as a particularly bad onej from the point of view o'f both rail and road traffic.