SHOCKING MOTOR FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3756, 18 February 1928, Page 2

SHOCKING MOTOR FATALITY.

AT LEVIL CROSSING NEAR LEVIN.

WOMAN KILLED, HUSBAND SERIOUSLY INJURED.

A distressing fatality occurred just after mid-day yesterday at the crossing of McLeavey Road and the Main Trunk railway line, about two and a-half miles south of Levin, by which Mrs. H. W. Eyes lost her life, and her husband was seriously injured.

The point where the accident occurred is a particularly dangerous one. McLeavey road approaches the line from the east, takes a right-angle turn to the right, running for eight or ten chains parallel with the line and then crosses on a slight down grade. The view of the line is obscured for the greater part of the eight or ten chains by a high cutting, and the track runs downhill to the crossing, so that trains usually come down to it with steam shut off.

Just after mid-day, Mr Eyes was engaged in the delivering of bread on the eastern side of the line, and was accompanied by Mrs Eyes, who •ccupied the other seat .on the front of the van. He had just left Mr. Mullins’ residence on McLeavey Road, about ten to fifteen chains from the scene of the accident, and was proceeding to cross the line to the western side when he encountered the up-bound New Plymouth express at the crossing at 12.13 23.ni. The oncoming train struck the delivery van with terrific impact, completely wrecking it. The engine-driver exercised great 23romptitude an pulling the- train up, stopping within its own length on a down grade. It was found Mr. Eyes had been carried along about three chains past the crossing and he was unconscious, evidently severely injured. Mrs. Eyes was pickep up a yard or two over the cattle sto23. Amongst the passengers on the- train was Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Director-General of Health, and he and Dr. Hunter, of Levin, who was passing and -arrived within a few minutes, made a hurried examination, finding that in Mrs. Eyes’s case life was extinct and that- her husband was injured about the head and shoulders. Mr. Eyes was conveyed to th'A Palmerston Hospital. The late Mrs. Eyes -was a daughter of Mrs. iC. Thorpe, of Marlborough, and was married at Rye Valley in 1912. For some years their residence was at Ihakara, where Mr. Eyes was engaged in farming. About 18 months ago the farm was disposed of, and Mr. Eyes, in- partnership with Mr. Scott, took over the Arcadia Bakery. The family have from that time resided in Durham street. Mrs. Eyes was a woman of a cheerful disposition and sterling worth, and was held in high esteem by all with whom she came in contact. Three children, Keeble aged 13, Olwyn 7, and Gwen 3, are left to mourn their loss.

PATIENT IN LOW r CONDITION. Apparently Mr. Eyes’ injuries were much more serious than was anticipated at the examination made at Levin. Enquiries made last evening from the hospital, elicited the information that the patient was in a very low condition.