Further Particulars. Christchurch, December 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 December 1884, Page 3

Further Particulars. Christchurch, December 17.

From further accounts to hand of the Rangiora accident, it appears that Hughey, the driver of the van, observed the morning train from Christchurch close upon him. Thinking there was not time to pull up his horses, he gave them a cut with a whip to get them over the line. The engine was too quick for the horses, and crashed into the side of the van close to the front wheels, dashing it away from the horses (which escaped with but little injury) on to the cattle trap at the Yankee crossing, the occupants of the vehicle being thrown in all directions. The most badly hurt of the sufferers were quickly conveyed to adjacent house?, where they received prompt attention from Drs. Dowries, Williams, and Gordon. The van was completely wrecked, and the wonder is that more of the party were not killed or more seriously injured. The front carriage of the train was consider ably damaged, the iron stanchions on the platform being broken away, and several windows smashed, but none of the occupants were injured. No blame is attached to the engine-driver, as he whistled as usual on approaching the crossing, and, on seeing the danger, applied the brakes so promptly as to pull up the train within a few yards of the accident. The driver of the van, by all accounts, was not looking in the directtion of the crossing, and the crossing, keeper failed to attract his attention until it was too late. The van being covered prevented the occupants from, seeing the train*

Contrary to report, the fatalities were confined to two, viz., Mr David Keir and Miss Margaret Morrell, both of whom died fromthiir lajnries in a ahoit time. The names o£ lixa uiherß of the party, and the injuries they received, are ac follow :—: — Thomas Keir, left arm badly broken and head cut; John Hughey (the driver), serious wounds on the head j D. McKay, Mrs McKay, each two ribs broken ; Misses H. and M. Stapleforth, Miss Jane McCracken, Miss A. Morrell, Mr C. J. Jennings, more or less bruised and shaken. The young lady deceased was 15 years of age. No injury was done to the train. The driver of the van is said to be principally to blame for the accident. The accident has cast a great gloom over Rangiora. A number of persona who were waiting on the railway platform to take the train to Chrigtchurch to enjoy the holiday (Anniversary Day) were bo affected that they returned to their homes. A later telegram says : — Hughey^ and McKay are in a very precarious condition, the latter having sustained injuries to his back of a serious nature in addition to broken ribs. The other sufferers are doing as well as can be expected.