MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 January 1913, Page 2

MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT.

ONE PERSON KILLED, THREE INJURED.

AT KAUKAPAKAPA RAILWAY CROSSING.

News was received yesterday, shortly before 12 o'clock that the north train had run into a motor car at the crossing near the Kaukapakapa Railway Station, and that one of the occupants was killed and the remaining three seriously injured, while the engine had been damaged. A special train was at once put on, and Dr. Meinhold and Nurse Sewell, of the Helensville Hospital, Constable Driscoll, and MrR. B. Holmes, of Havelock North, proceeded to the scene of the accident. It appears that a large white car, which passed through Helensville this morning, proceeding on a tour through the north, the occupants being Mr and Mrs Dudley Hill, Mrs Frank Gordon, and Mr Denton Tanner, of the Hawkes Bay district, had collided with the midday north train at the crossing, a few chains from the Kaukapakapa station, the car being smashed while the engine of the train was disabled by the impact, the piston rods being bent. On arrival at the scene Dr. Meinhold pronounced life extinct in the case of Mrs Frank Gordon, and the injured were brought to the Helensville /Private Hospital, Mrs Gordon's body being taken to the Terminus Hotel. On a closer examination it was found that Mrs Hill was not badly injured, but was extensively bruised and suffering from shock; Mr Tanner had received a bad fracture of the left knee, also severe cuts and bruises over the head and body; and Mr Hill had two ribs broken, and severe bruises and cuts over the body, and on the head and face very nasty cuts and bruises. Dr Meinhold states that with care the patients should eventually recover, no internal injuries being apparent so far. Mr R. B. Holmes, of Havelock North, who was in Helensville, hearing of the accident, recognised the injured people as acquaintances from Hawkes Bay. He informs us that they were touring through, the north, intending going as far north, as they could by car, Messrs Hill and Tanuer are sheep farmers in the Hawkes Bay district, and Mrs Gordon, a sister of Mrs Hill, is the wife of Mr Frank Gordon, of Clifton, Hawkes Baj. Mr Thomas Tanner, father of Mrs Hill, Mis Gordon, and Mr Denton Tanner, is one of the oldest and mopt highly respected sheep farmers in the Hawkes Bay district. Wires were sent to the friends of deceased by Mr Holmes, and they are expected to arrive by motor and train to-day and to-morrow. 4 Mr Tanner and Mrs Hill, who were in the back seat of the car, stated that they have no recollection of how the accident happened, it was so sudden. Mr H1'!!, who was driving, states tliat he was looking straight ahead and did not notice the sign-boards of a crossing, and was not aware there was one until the train was on them. He did not hear any whistle. Mr Lucas, driver of the train, w^ are informed, did not see the car, the road being hidden from view .by a high hedge which runs along the road side.

A visitor to the scene of the accident states that is it evident that the driver of the car tried te clear the train, but was caught and the occupants were thrown out on to the bank of the road, Mrs Gordon falling on her head near the cattle stops.