FATAL MOTOR COLLISION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 148, 26 June 1916, Page 4

FATAL MOTOR COLLISION.

MR. AND MRS. GOWDY LOSE THEIR LIVES. The level crossing at Taonui, adjacent to Feilding, was the scene of a shocking accident on Friday afternoon, as the result of a collision between the down New Plymouth oxpress an( * a motor-car driven by a Palmerston taxi-driver named Madge.

Those most seriously injured were Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy, of Ruanui, near Taihape, and both are reported to be very badly hurt indeed. It appears that Mr. Gowdey had been buying stick pretty heavily in Feilding during the day. and -having completed his transactions, was returning by motor to Palmerston North, whence he had come in the morning. He was accompanied by Mrs. Gowdey, and both occupied the back seat, while in the front seat of the car, beside the driver, was Mr. J. Evans, buyer for Messrs Abraham and Williams. There is no mystery as to how the accident •happened. Those who know the road are aware that the road runs parallel with and alongside the railway line until the turning is made at the crossing. It appears that the car had just left Feilding a few yards ahead of the express and was running" along in advance. Neither the driver nor anyone else in the car, apparently, heard rhe engine whistle as the crossing was approached, and the car being closely hooded, the driver was unable to see the danger threatening the party. Immediately he turned to take the crossing, Mr. J&vans, who was on the side nearest, the train, got a glimpse of the express, and, realising the danger, called cut "Hello! Look out!" The driver, Madge, immediately applied the brakes, but was too late to stop the inevitable crash that followed in the twinkling icf an eye. The engine cut the front of the car practically in two, while the occupants of the car were hurled off in different directions. Mr. Gowdy was thrown right across the cattle-stop, and Mrs. Gowdy back towards the protecting fence butting on the crossing. Mr. 'Evans was thrown back, but escaped with several cuts on the head. The driver, who was on the off-side of the car, miraculously escaped injury, as he was able to jump clear when the impact took place. The train was brought to a standstill after running about a length; the guard, driver, inspector, and a large number of passengers went back to the scene of the accident. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy were found to be seriously injured, as, in addition to deep cuts on the face and head, Mrs. Gowdy appeared to have susilained a broken arm; while Mr. Gowdy had an ugly, gaping wound on the side of the temple, besides apparently, sustaining a broken leg. The injured husband and wife, who were both unconscious, were carefully placed in the guard's van and postal van respectively, and taken to Palmerston North, where they were conveyed as promptly as possible to the hospital. Mr. J. Gadsen, importer, of Melbourne, and Miss Gadsen, were on the train travelling to (Wellington, and kindly administered first aid on the run to Palmerston station. The taxi-driver stated that he neither heard the train whistle nor did he know that he was running along along sc close to the train; in fact he was unaware of the proximity of the express. Mr. Gowdy died in the hospital on Friday night, and Mrs. Gowdy suc-

cumbed on Saturday morning- under operation. The funeral leaves St. Margaret's 'Church at 2 o'clock this ai'ternoon.