CROSSING SMASH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 22 January 1938, Page 10

CROSSING SMASH

FOUR PERSONS INJURED. INCIDENT AT CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH ~ J an. 22. Four people were injured—a mother and daughter seriously—in a level crossing smash at the Colombo Street crossing at 1.15 this morning. Although the train was travelling at five miles an hour and pulled up within a few feet t the car was wrecked. The injured were : , MRS F. M. AITKIN, severe head injuries and a badly lacerated knee. MISS MILLY AITKIN, aged. 16, a fractured pelvis and head injuries. MISS MYRTLE STEPHENSON, aged 16 minor abrasions to the legs. MR J. H. STEPHENSON, the driver of the car, aged 19, a cut over the left knee and strained muscles.

The four injured live at 150 King Street, Sydenham. Mrs Aitkin and her daughter, Miss Molly Aitkin, were admitted to the Christchurch Hospital. Their condition this morning was only fair, and operations were to be carried out oil both patients. Later in the day Mr Stephenson and Miss Stephenson were treated as outpatients and after attention were able to go home. Although the train was only “crawling,” the collision was of such a force that the car was tossed aside and turned round facing the direction from which it had come. It was crashed against a post and rail fence, and was carried for some distance along the footpath.