INSTANT DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20743, 1 March 1939, Page 8

INSTANT DEATH

HUSBAND AND WIFE ENGINE BTRIKES MOTOR-CAR VEHICLE SMASHED TO PIECES (By Telegrapfi.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday A man and his wife were killed instantly when a railway engine struck a motor-car at a level crossing on a road leading into the back of the Fairfield Freezing Works, near Ashburton, at 4 p.m. to-day. The victims were: Mr Martin John Eskcr, farmer, of Dromore, six miles from Ashburton. Mrs Bessie Esker, wife of Mr Esker. Both were aged about 50. Striking the car, an open model, about the middle, the engine, which was on its way to Timaru to join the north express, smashed the vehicle to pieces, tossing the main portion about 40 yards away. Mr Esker, who was driving the car, was carried along in the wreckage and was eventually thrown clear about 50 yards from the crossing. Mrs Esker, who was in the front seat alongside her husband, received the full force of the impact and was thrown clear a few yards further on. Mr and Mrs Esker leave three sons, one in Christchurch and two in Ashburton. TWO SERIOUSLY HURT MOTOR-GAR SOMERSAULTS (Special to Times) TAUPO, Tuesday Severe internal and spinal injuries were suffered by Mr John Cotterill (24), married, salesman, of Westshore, Napier, when the car he was driving turned two somersaults after striking a bank on the Napier-Taupo road, near the Rangitaiki Hotel, this afternoon. A companion, Mr Robert H. Weeks (52), retired, married, of Napier, suffered similar injuries. The car was extensively damaged. STRUCK BY A ROCK WORKER’S FATAL INJURIES (Special to Times) NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday Receiving , severe injuries when struck by a \ rock that fell on him while working on a school ground improvement scheme at Inglewood this afternoon, Mr Sydney Richards (59), widower, of Inglewood, died half an hour after his admission to the New Plymouth Hospital.