FURTHER DETAILS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3445, 9 February 1912, Page 2

FURTHER DETAILS.

OF STYX CROSSING COLLISION.

DECEASED BOTH TERRIBLY INJURED. lPb» PRESS ASSOCIATION. 3 CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 8. Further particulars of the motor car fatality show that the two occupants of the car were Marshal Brown, of Addington, and Peter Fransden, Christchurch, employed by the Dresden Piano Company. At the time of the accidentthe car was proceeding to town, travelling at a fast pace. The Styx crossing is a dangerous one, approaching trains being obscured. Au easterly wind that was blowing would prevent the engine’s whistle being neard by those in the car. As a result, the engine caught the car fairly in jt-he middle, and carried it along 250 yards. When first struck there was still a slight- chance for the occupants, but the pomts lever was encountered. The car must have been pinned between this and the engine. The petrol tank immediately exploded ,and nothing but a few fragments of the car remained to tell the tale. Fransden must have been killed instantly. Brown breathed a few minutes, though he did not regain consciousness. His skull was fractured. He also had a compound fracture of the right leg. Fransden’s head was injured, and his right foot cut off. Brown was a married man, aged 28. Fransden, who was married, was older than Brown. Portions of the car were carried as far as Styx station, 50 yards away. The engine-driver states that when at the crossing the fireman cried, “Look out,” and at once applied the brakes. As he did so lie saw the motor car dash on to the front of the cowcatcher, and it was at once smashed to pieces. _