Taxi Driver Killed in Smash with Express

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 847, 16 December 1929, Page 1

Taxi Driver Killed in Smash with Express

MOTOR-CAR WRECKED LIMITED DELAYED From Our Own Correspondent OTOROHANGA, Sunday. Crashing with his motor-car into the north-bound daylight Limited express at the level crossing at Otorohanga last evening, Arthur Walter Martin, taxi-driver, was killed and his machine wrecked. Mr. Martin had driven a load of passengers from the Waipa races to the railway station. After discharging his passengers, Mr. Martin went to cross the line and ran into the engine of the Limited. The car was carried 82 feet by the impact, and Mr. Martin’s body a further 20 feet. The car was smashed into a mass of twisted metal and splintered woodwork. The engine of the express was damaged, and the train was delayed until another engine was obtained from Te Kuiti. An inquest was held later by Mr. R. M. Somerville, district coroner. Evidence of identification was given by deceased’s brother, Mr. G. E. Martin, farmer, Whawharua, and medical evidence by Dr. Carlyle B. Gilberd. The inquest was then adjourned. Mr. Martin leaves a wife and three children. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Martin, old residents of Inglewood. His injuries consisted of a fractured skull and broken ribs. Death was instantaneous. Some years ago a fatal accident occurred at the same level-crossing, and applications for warning signals have been made to the Railway Department by the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce.