Mother and Daughter Killed

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 3, 4 January 1940, Page 6

Mother and Daughter Killed

— -3 Level Crossing Tragedy Near Morrinsville BODY OF CAR HURLED CHAIN AWAY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 3. Two women, mother and daughter, were killed to-night when a motor-car of which they- were the only occupants was struck by the Rotorua-Auckland passenger train at the Motumaoho level crossing about two miles from Morrinsville. The victims were:— Mrs. Laura Smith, aged 64 years, wife of Mr. Maurice Smith, of Puriri. near Thames. Miss Agnes Constance Walton Smith, aged 24, of Puriri. Miss Smith was driving the car in the direction of Puriri. Tho car was completely wrecked and the occupants were killed immediately, both suffering terribio head and internal injuries. Miss (Smith was thrown on the bank beside tho crossing, whilo her mother was carried into an old sand-pit twelve yards away from the road. So great was tho impact that tho body of the car was tom completely from the chassis and hurled a chain away. Mr. Smith and his family worked a small farm near Thames. The police and a doctor were quickly ou the scene and the victims were taken back to Morrinsville. Tho train was not damaged. About two years ago the Public Works Department contemplated erecting an to eliminate this level crossing. However, after several reinforced concrete piles had been constructed, tho work was abondoned and tho concrete piles remain in a paddock alongside the scene of to-night’s double fatality. This is tho second fatal accident to occur at a level crossing near Morrinsvillo within six weeks. The other was when a motor-lorry driver was killed at the Piako crossing on the east side of the town.