AN OPEN VERDICT

CAR SMASH WITH TRAIN
‏(Special to the "Evening Post.")‏

NELSON, October 27. The inquest into the deaths of Elsie May Fryer, aged five years seven months, and Mrs. William Guckert, 64 years, as tho result of a railway crossing accident at Wakatu last Saturday afternoon was concluded today, when an open verdict was returned by the Coroner, Mr. T. E. Maunsell. In giving his verdict the Coroner extended sympathy to William Francis Fryer, the driver of the car in the tragic happening, but said that on the evidence he could not conclude that the accident was inevitable. When Fryer found his brakes would not stop the car in time- to prevent a direct hit with the train he turned into tho cattle stops, tho two deceased'being thrown against a passenger carriage from the front seat of tho car.

CROSSING ACCIDENT.
SMASH NEAR NELSON.
WOMAN AND GIRL LOSE LIVES
‏(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)‏
NELSON, Sunday.
In endeavouring to avoid a collision with a train at the Wakatu crossing, near Nelson, Mr. William Frances Fryer drove his motor car into the cattle stops, with the result that two lives were lost.
The victims of the accident were:—
Mrs. Janet Guckert, aged about 68 years, wife of Mr. William Guckert. of Nelson. Elsie May Fryer, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. William Francis Fryer, of Nelson.
Elsie May Fryer was killed instantaneously and Mrs. Guckert sustained injuries which proved fatal after admission to hospital. The driver escaped with minor injuries and the car was not greatly damaged. The accident happened shortly before 1.30 p.m. Before passing over the crossing the driver saw a train approaching from the direction of Nelson, and in order to avoid a collision with the train he swerved the car across the cattle stops and toward the side of the road. In turning, one of the wheels caught in the stops, the two passengers in the car being thrown out of the vehicle. An inquest was opened to-day before Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., coroner, and was adjourned until Friday after evidence of identification had been given.

THROWN AGAINST TRAIN

Two Persons Killed

WELLINGTON ‏(N.Z.)‏, Sunday.-While trying to avoid a collision with a train at Nelson yesterday, William Francis Fryer drove his motor-car into a herd of cattle, and two of the occupants of the car were thrown against the side of the train. Mr. Fryer's five-year-old daughter was killed instantly, and Mrs William Guckert was fatally injured. Mr. Fryer received minor injuries.