TRAIN AND BENZINE LORRY COLLIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3808, 21 June 1928, Page 3

TRAIN AND BENZINE LORRY COLLIDE.

Napier, June 19. A collision with somewhat unusual features occurred between a train and a motor-lorry at Frederick Street railway crossing, Hastings, this afternoon. The lorry, carrying a score of 20-gallon drums of benzine, and driven by E. F. Lowry, had still its rear wheels on the line when a combined train crashed into 'the vehicle, turning it completely round. The driver fortunately kept his seat, and the lorry commenced to run back down the slope away from the railway line for about 20 yards, and in its course levelled some 30 or 35 feet of fence outside a private residence. The wheels of the lorry tore out great patches of asphalt from a footpath, and did considerable damage to a lawn inside the fence. The oil drums were scattered in all directions. One was carried out 15 yards along tho line until it exploded, and fell into an eight feet ditch, the presence of which was fortunate, as the contents of the drum were able to burn themselves out harmlessly, except for slight damage to the hedge. Had it not been for the ditch, the. house adjacent to the line would have been in danger. Another oil drum, caught by the cowcatcher, was tossed on the other side of the line for a chain, but remained intact. The engine’s cowcatcher was almost ripped off, and trailed along till the train stopped, and a hole a foot in diameter was knocked out of the iron front of the fire-box. The iron outer cap of the cylinder on the right of the engine was also badly smashed.