TERRIFIC SMASH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 121, 24 April 1925, Page 5

TERRIFIC SMASH

RAILWAY ENGINE STRIKES CAR. VEHICLE HURLED INTO AIR. OCCUPANT IN GRAVE CONDITION. A railway crossing accident of a sensational character occurred this morning at the Kelvin Grove crossing. Mr R. V. Burton, u local motor-car ugent. was travelling in a brand now sixcylinder iiiotior-car towards Kelvin Grovo and had nearly cleared the Kelvin Grove railway crossing when the rear of tho vehicle was struck with terrific force by the foremost of ‘ two railway engines which were proceeding alone in the direction of Marton.

According to ono of the engine-drivers tho motor-car was hurled high into the air, tho unfortunate occupant being thrown clear and falling on his head. This remarkable) assertion is borne out by the fact that a garage repair gang found the damaged motor soma 50 feet away from where the smash occurred, thero being no marks between where it lay and the point of impact. The machine was badly damaged along ono side. Further evidence of the force of the collision is afforded by the fact; that the spare wheel of the motor-car was found in a paddock over 100 feet away, according to tho account given to a “Standard” reporter. Residents in tho vicinity who hoard the noise of tho crash were quickly on the scene and Mr Purton was conveyed tc. tho Palmerston North hospital suffering from a fractured skull. At an early hour this afternoon ho was still unconscious. It is understood that tho railway engines wore ablo to proceed on their journey.