LEVEL CROSSING DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4437, 8 April 1930, Page 3

LEVEL CROSSING DISASTER.

PASSENGER ’BUS CRASHES INTO TRAIN. SIX KILLED, FIVE INJURED. Whangarci, April 5. What is believed to _bc the worst railway level crossing accident in (lie history of New Zealand occurred at 0.5 o’clock last evening, when the Opna-bonnd express, carrying visitors from the Wliangarei races, struck one of the ’buses owned by the Northern ’Bus Coy., which was coming from Hikurangi with a load of young people going to the pictures in Whnngarei. A. tremendous impact occurred on McLeod’s crossing, near Hikurangi, and as a result, the ’bus was completely smashed and hurled some distance. Of the 11 occupants, four were killed outright, one died before arrival at the Whangarci public hospital and another, whose ease was hopeless from the outset, succumbed this morning. Another, Phillip Sparks, has an extensive fracture of the skull and the outlook for his recovery is bn d.

The- dead arc:— Sydney Johnson, aged 15, son of losopli Johnson, Hiikurangi. Gavin Davidson, 16, son of Ro>crt Davidson, Hikurangi. James Roth well, 17, of Mountain Road, Hikurangi. Trene Darwin, 15, whose parents reside at Pcria Road, Matamata. Edna Wilson, 23, of Kestevan Avenue, St. Helier’s Bay, Auckland.

Andrew Frew, 17, of Hikurangi. The injured are: — Eileen Trotter, extensive wound on right foot, scalp wounds and body abrasions and suffering severely from shock. She was operated on this morning and is doing well.

Lewis Martin, 16, of George St., Hikurangi, wound on scalp. Fracture of the skull was suspected, hut examination under an anaesthetic showed that this was not so, and I lie patient- is doing well. Noel Wilkinson, 21, driver of the ’bus, compound fracture of the left shoulder-blade and suffering from severe shock. Ho was operated upon this morning and his condition is now good. Trevor Dool, 14, whose parents reside in Hikurangi, is one of the wounds on the left thigh and injured scalp. He was operated upon this morning and his outlook is

good. Phillip Sparks, 35, whose parents reside in Hikurangi, one of the most serious eases admitted to the hospital. The youth was suffering from extensive head injuries and shock. Examination under an anaesthetic this morning revealed an extensive fracture of the vault of the skull and he was still unconscious this afternoon, when it was not expected that he would recover.

The tragedy occurred with such suddenness and the survivors are so badly knocked about that an accurate story cannot be obtained. All that can bo stated definitely is that the race train, bound for Opua and the ’bus travelling towards .Whangarei met on the level crossing. The night was dark and rain was drizzling.

Nine patients, dead and dying, were conveyed in private cars to the Whangarei Hospital, the yard of which was like a casualty clearing station during the- war.