MOTOR ACCIDENT AT PALMERSTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 438, 29 September 1908, Page 3

MOTOR ACCIDENT AT PALMERSTON.

A sensational motor accident occurred upon the arrival ot the New Plymouth express at Palmerston on Saturday afternoon, when nearing the Union Sash and Door Company’s works at the corner of Princess and Main Streets. The train was struck by a 12-14 horsepower motor car driven by Mr F. Whishaw, the well-known land agent, and formerly of Feilding. The other occupants of the car were Mrs Rollet and her little boy of about six years. Mrs Rollet was being driven through from Wellington to join her husband, at present staying in Feilding. The car, according to those who witnessed the accident, was coming fastly along Princess Street, and the driver evidently did not notice the approaching train until within a little over a chain distant, when he applied the brakes, the wheelmarks leaving an impression upon the road. Had be not applied the brakes probably he would have cleared the train, because the car was, according to the marks, struck in the rear, showing that the driver must have turned slightly down the line iowards Palmerston in the hope of getting clear. The motor, with the exception of the engines, is a total wreck, the pieces being scattered in all directions. It had only been in use about four months, and would cost about £SOO new. The occupants were thrown out in all directions, and strange to relate all escaped serious injury. The boy landed on the cow-catcher, and was carried along a short distance, and then thrown off, bouncing on the grass like a ball. When picked up he was found to be considerably shaken. The boy was taken on the train and handed to Constable M'Corraick at Palmerston station. It was 4 p.m. before a doctor could be procured, and the lad was then taken back to the mother, and both were sent to Mrs Freeman’s private hospital. Mrs Rollet is considerably bruised, aud likewise Mr Whishaw, who sustained two broken ribs aud an injury to the chest. The driver of the express, Mr Livingstone, and the fireman, Mr A. Todd, are to be commended on their promptness in applying the Westinghouse brakes, the train being pulled up in a few seconds.