Dangerous Crossing Takes Another Victim

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 636, 12 April 1929, Page 1

Dangerous Crossing Takes Another Victim

SOUTHDOWN FATALITY NEED FOR SUBWAY The distressing accident that occurred at the Southdown levelcrossing yesterday afternoon, as a result of which Mr. Spencer Atkinson, of 24 Pukenui Road, One Tree Hill, died on his way to the Public Hospital, is not the first to occur on that crossing. Only recently a motor-bus was badly smashed there by a train, fortunately with no loss of life. On another occasion a party proceeding from Onehunga to Otahuhu narrowly escaped being killed owing to a train striking the car in which they were travelling. The danger has caused a deal of concern to the member for the district, Mr. W. J. Jordan who, during the past four years, has persistently urged upon the Government the necessity for a subway under the double line of rails. As recently as March. 16 last, -Mr. Jordan made an appeal to the Minister of Public Works, and was given an assurance that the Question would receive attention. On a previous occasion, when a subway was asked for, the Government agreed to the proposal, provided the One Tree Hill Road Board, in whose district the crossing is situated, would bear half the cost of the work. The road board, however, owing to a lack of funds, was unable to go on with the proposition. Strange to say, everything was in train on Tuesday last for a further effort to induce the Government to take action, the One Tree Hill Road Board having arranged to meet the Minister of Railways in Auckland, but a telegram was received cancelling the appointment. Church Street is the shortest route between Onehunga and the main South road and carries a rapidly-increasing motor traffic. On the eastern side of the crossing the road rises sharply and it is impossible for drivers travelling toward Onehunga to obtain a view of the railway line either to the north or south, until within a few yards of the crossing itself. No provision whatever is made to give warning of approaching trains. Mr. Atkinson’s car, a light fiveseater, was proceeding over the crossing in the direction of the Great South Road, and Mr. Atkinson slowed down. The engine stalled when the machine was across the rails. An examination, of the car later showed that it was in reverse gear. Mr. W. Rudkin, a passenger on a city-bound train, said that the car was hurled a-gainst the cattle stop. Mr. Atkinson was thrown out, striking the stop with terrific force. He was picked ’“Up unconscious and attended to by Dr. Thomas. The ambulance was summoned, but the injured man died on the way to the Auckland Hospital.