TRAIN SMASH HOAX

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1941, Page 3

TRAIN SMASH HOAX

THE AUCKLAND INCIDENT. | PERPETRATOR SENT TO GAOL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 18. The man who perpetrated hoaxes on the Auckland Hospital and St. John Ambulance and fire brigade early on Sunday morning, July 6, by telephoning that a serious railway smash had occurred in the railway yards, Edward Albert McGuire, aged 40, was sentenced in the Magistrate’s Court today to 18 months’ imprisonment. The police said that McGuire was a cook and porter. He was deported from. Australia and returned to New Zealand in May last after an absence of some years. He had a long list of previous convictions. Accused telephoned the hospital before 6 a.m., stating that two trains had collided, and five persons were dead and many injured. Several doctors were aroused and went to the railway station. The same morning he telephoned the St. John Ambulance and four ambulances were dispatched. A similar message was sent to the fire brigade. Four engines were dispatched. Accused was later located as a result of inquiries by Detective Halpin. The magistrate, Mr Hunt, passed sentence of 12 months on one charge and six months on another.