The October 1897 Breakwater Road accident

 

Map from the City of Auckland Plan, 1908. Inset image of T W Leys senior: photo of a painting by C F Goldie, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1285-10016

Thomson Wilson Leys (1850-1924) was a philanthropist, editor of the Auckland Star, and originator of the Leys Institute Gymnasium and library. He was also, with a considerable number of my DNA matches pointing toward his great-grandfather and great-grandmother in mid 18th century Aberdeenshire, likely my fifth cousin five times removed. His bio here.

On 1 October 1897, his son also named Thomson Wilson Leys, was killed in a level crossing accident in Downtown Auckland, on Breakwater Road.

“CASUALTY AT A RAILWAY CROSSING

‘BUS RUN INTO BY A TRAIN

THREE PERSONS KILLED

STATEMENTS BY PASSENGERS

“One of those terrible accidents which cast a gloom over the whole community occurred last night at the railway crossing in Customs Street. The performance of the Flying Jordans Company, on the Reclamation Ground, had just concluded, and a Ponsonby bus with a full load of passengers was crossing the railway when it was run into by the 10.20 train on its way out of the station.

“The engine struck the ‘bus by the right front wheel, and knocked it completely around, parallel with the railway line, carrying away the front wheel and cutting into one of the horses. The occupants of the outside seats were hurled on to the ground by the force of the collision, some of them falling on the railway line, right under the wheels of the engine. It all happened so suddenly that those inside were quite unaware of their danger until they felt the crash, while the outside passengers, although they heard a warning cry just before the collision, had no time to jump off before the train was upon them.

“The train pulled up as quickly as possible, and as the news spread there was a great rush of people to the scene of the disaster. Constables Boreham, Potter, and some of the railway employees hurried to the spot and made a search among the debris for the injured. These were found to be eight in number, and three of them -- Thomson Leys, son of the editor of the Star, aged 13, a boy named Charles Akast, and the driver of the ‘bus William Ness were seen to be seriously hurt. These three died from their injuries after admission to the hospital, where they were taken after the accident… The driver, William Ness, was lame. He had been for a long time in the employ of the Tram Company and it is stated that he was a most fearless man in handling troublesome horses. He was only recently discharged from the Hospital owing to injuries through a fall from a horse on the Ponsonby Road.”

Auckland Star 2 October 1897

“Shortly before 11 o'clock the injured were taken to the Hospital in cabs, at intervals. They were received by Dr. Pabst. The first to be brought up was Akast, then Leys, Ness, Holmden, and Parkin. Akast was sensible but suffering from shock. He lived until 1 o'clock. It was found that his right arm was torn off and both legs badly crushed. Leys only lived a few minutes after admission. He was unconscious. His skull was badly fractured and he had several scalp wounds. Ness was insensible and never rallied. He died about 3 o'clock, Holmden was suffering from shock and was much dazed. He walked into the operating room with assistance. It was found that he was suffering from a wound of the left leg, The man Parkin who was the last to arrive had only a scalp wound. The Hospital resident staff, together with Drs. Challinor Purchas, Girdler, Marsack, and Coates with additional nurses were kept busy until an early hour in the morning operating and dressing the wounds of the sufferers. For two hours the Hospital was beseiged with anxious friends and inquiries by persons through the telephone. The authorities did all they could to meet the exceptional demands made upon them and relieve the anguish of relations and others.”

Auckland Star 28 October 1897

“The driver of the train, Howardson, interviewed after the return of the train from Onehunga at half-past eleven, stated that when the signal was given for the train to start, the line, as far as could be seen ahead, was perfectly clear, and no vehicle appeared to be approaching the rails at the crossing. The whistle was blown, and the train was steaming out at the rate of about four or five miles an hour when the collision took place. Neither he nor the fireman saw anything of the omnibus until the engine was quite close. The fireman, George Hill, corroborated the statements made by the engine-driver, and said that everything appeared all clear until the 'bus suddenly shot across the line, when the collision took place …

“The hearing of the evidence occupied several days. After a short consideration the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and exonerated Ness, the 'bus driver, and also the railway employees from all blame.”

NZ Herald 29 October 1897