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.