SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 20 October 1882, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

1 TRAIN IN COLLISION WITH A TEAP.

1 We regret to state that the holiday proceedings of yesterday did not pass off without a serious accident, which will probably prove fatal to one at least of the persons involved. Shortly ' before G o'clock yesterday evening Mr Murtagh Conroy, the well-known express driver, was making his way to the ; racecourse in a cart which has lately been built for him by Messrs McDuff and Cummins. On the seat with Conroy was a lad of 13, the son of Mr Wright, otnployed as a blacksmith at Murray's foundry. The cart was pass ing over the railway crossing at the top of Ingsstre-street, when it was suddenly caught by the cow-catcher of the engine which was taking out the up-country train. The result was that both the occupants of the trap were thrown violently out to a great distance, Conroy falling into a drain by the side of the road, and the boy into some high grass. Both were picked up and found to have sustained serious injuries. Conroy's left arm was broken in several places, and his internal injuries were evidently of a very extensive character. He was removed to his residence in Bell-street and promptly attended by Dr Connolly, but at a late hour last night we ascertained that little hopes were entertained of his recovery, the last rites o£ the | Church having been administered by Father Kirk. Conroy has a wife and seven young children, so that the accidont is more than usually regrettable. The boy Wright has suffered extensively in the shape of bruises and contusions on the face and body, but it is thought that no bones are broken. Conroy and several persons who witnessed the occurrence state positively that the enginedriver did not sound the visual whistle when approaching the crossing, but as to this important matter we say nothing at present. The engine-driver declares that he sounded the whistle twice. The strong wind blowing at the time may have prevented its being heard. An official inqmiry will, of course, be held.