LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2594, 16 June 1923, Page 3

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY.

VICTIM DAUGHTER OF MR, A. E. RANSOM, M.P.

A distressing fatality occurred at the Allardiee St. 'railway crossing in Darinevirke, at 9.25 yesterday morning, resulting in the death two hours later of Miss Joyce Ransom, aged 18 years, daughter of Mr E. A. Ransom, M.P. for Pahiatua. The first train from Waipukurau - —running some minutes late —ran into a motor car which contained, besides Miss Ransom, Miss Grace Hazel Mexted, aged 19 years, a daughter of Mr Walter Mexted, of High Street, farmer. They were admitted to the Wharewhitu private hospital, the former very gravely injured and suffering from severe shock.

Miss Mexted received a severe injury to a foot, and also sustained considerable shock, hut her condition is not critical and her life is not in danger. She had a miraculous escape.

The two ladies were driving slowly along Queen Street, Miss Mexted at the wheel. The car was seen to approach the crossing, but whether there was an error of judgment or the brakes failed to act appears uncertain. The bonnet of the car got on the lines and the next moment the train crashed into it, carrying it along the line. The driver of the heavy train, Mr Alfred Burgess, promptly applied the brakes and pulled ip) his train 55 yards from the crossing. Miss Ransom, it is said, jumped from the car and was struck by the train, and thrown on the inside of the crossing, while, it is stated,.Miss Mexted was carried along with the vehicle, clambered out of the debris and walked some distance back to the crossing before collapsing. PARLIAMENTS SYMPATHY. The fatality was referred to in the House yesterday afternoon and Mr Ransom was granted three days’ leave of absence. The Prime Minister, Right Honorable W. F. Massey, said he regretted the news that, had been received. When trouble came to any member of the House, party considerations were put on one side, and all joined in an ox pression of sympathy for the member concerned, and the members of the bereaved family., The Leader of the Opposition, Mr T. M. Wilford, joined with the Prime Minister in his expression of sympathy and said that he wished to thank the Whip of the Reform Party for offering a pair to Mr Ransom. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, also offered his condolence to the member for Pahiatna in connection with the tragedy which had entered into his family. Mr Wilford asked the Minister for Railways if he would take immediate steps to provide safety devices at. level crossings in order to reduce the toll which was being taken of human life.

The Minister, Hon. J. G. Coates, replied that the question would have early and careful consideration and he would go into it together with his colleagues of the Cabinet.