THE MOTOR ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 192, 3 January 1913, Page 5

THE MOTOR ACCIDENT.

FURTHER DETAILS. The Hawera Star gives further particulars of the distressing accident which occurred at the north railway crossing near the Normanby station on Wednesday afternoon, when a motor car, driven by Frederick Butterworth, who -was accompanied by John Young, collided with a special train from New Plymouth. The engine, the Star says, struck the car fair in the centre, and John Young was killed instantaneously; the driver was thrown clear of the line, but was seriously injured. It is said that the occupants of the car were proceeding at a leisurely pace towards Eltham, but could not have heard the warning whistle of the special train, as when they were just crossing the rails the train dashed into the car, striking it in the centre and hurling the driver (Butterworth) clear of the car some distance over the cattle stops, inflicting severe scalp wounds and rendering him unconscious. The unfortunate man Young received the full force of the impact, and was carried with the ear in front of the engine for some CO or 70 yards. When the train pulled up, it was found that the poor fellow was dead, having received terrible injuries to the head and face. Dr. MacDiarmid was communicated with. Willing helpers also proceeded to whore Butterworth lay, and after some time succeeded in bring him round. Dr. MacDiarmid soon arrived and dressed Bntterworth's wounds and ordered his removal to the Hawera Hospital. Young could only be pronounced dead, he having, in the doctor's opinion, been killed instantly. The body was placed in the guard's van. and Butterworth in a carriage was taken on by the train to Hawera to the hospital. The car, a Ford, was practically smashed to matchwood, portions of it strewing the railway for (10 or 70 yards.

The driver of -the train when lie saw that an accident was inevitable applied the Westinghouse brake, and the train was pulled up within about 80 yards, the sudden stoppage throwing passengers from their seats. The driver had sounded the usual warning whistlofc. Dr. MacDiarmid, on receiving news of the call, proceeded to the scene of the accident in his car, and arrived within seven minutes from the receipt of the message.

The deceased was a single man, aged 34, and resided at Opunake, where he was engaged in the blacksmith trade. Many years ago, when he was a boy, he worked at the Star Office. Frederick Butterworth has been in business in Opunake as a stable proprietor. [Both are well known and popular in the district.

THE INQUEST. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Hawera, Last Night. At the inquest held this afternoon touching the death of John Young, the evidence showed that the usual warning whistles were sounded by the driver. It was also stated that the crossing was a dangerous one, the public view being obstructed. 4 At tlie request of a juryman the inquiry was adjorned for one week sq as to get the evidence, if possible, of Frederick Butterworth, driver of the car, who is in the hospital suffering from concussion of the brain. His condition is still' regarded as serious.