Another Norfolk level
crossing has taken its ghastly toll.
Three young lives were snuffed
out at the Round Plains crossing shortly before noon on Saturday when an
automobile driven by a Round Plains lad crashed into the side of M. C.
R. train No. 56, speeding towards Waterford.
The dead are: Noel Seward, Round
Plains, aged 17,
Howard Batten, Round Plains, aged 19,
Albert Nishik, Round Plains, aged 18.
Only one person saw the
accident, the reason for which may never be clearly known. This was a
woman passenger on the train, who from her seat saw the Ford touring car
approach the crossing from the side of the train. Her name was not
ascertained however, following the accident.
Light-heartedly the three lads
had set out from their homes near Round Plains to take a few bags of
grain to Simcoe. Their car,
an open one of many years usage was driven
by Albert Nishik.
Apparently they failed to see
the train as it approached the crossing from their right, although the
view is entirely unobstructed.
Neither could they have heard its shrill
whistle, nor the clanging of the warning bell at the crossing. nor seen
the zig-zag signal flashing.
The car drove straight into the
side of the train, the two meeting
with terrific impact. A second later all that remained was
twisted pieces of metal scattered down
the right-of-way for
hundreds of yards.
One body was found nearly 200
feet from the scene of the impact while another 150 feet. Dr. Shirton of
Waterford was called but could render no assistance. The bodies were
removed to the undertaking parlors of Mott Brothers, in Waterford.
There a jury was empanelled and
viewed the bodies adjourning until Monday, February 9th, at two o'clock
when the inquest will be heard in Waterford town hall.
The crossing is perhaps one of
the best protected in the county. From both north and south approaches,
a long section of the double-tracks are visible on both sides. On
each side of the tracks is warning equipment of the most modern type.
This equipment consists of a loud warning bell which commences to ring
when the train is still a considerable distance down the track, as well
as another arrangement which produces a flash of bright zig-zag light
similar to lightning, as the train begins to approach. Although designed
primarily for night, it is valuable also in the daytime.
Visited by the Star, both bell
and signal seemed to be in perfect working order as two trains sped past
the crossing. On the north approach of the road -- over which the ill-fated
car had travelled a short time before -- there was no indication of
skidding such as would have resulted had brakes been swiftly applied. At
this point
the snow is very deep on either side of the road and on
Saturday particularly, traveling was precarious, motorists finding
it quite difficult to remain on the road.
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Failure of Albert Nishik, 18, to
understand the gear-shift mechanism of the small, open touring car which
he drove for the first time Saturday is believed to have caused the
collision which instantly killed him and his two companions, Howard
Batten, 19, and
Noel Seward, 17.
Nishik had just traded his hand
gear-shift car for the foot pedal touring and he was going to Simcoe for
new licenses when the
crash occurred.
"Albert was not familiar
with the foot-gear and may have accelerated the car instead of stopping
when he saw the train," N. Malyon, a friend of the dead boy, said.
The victims lived with Mrs.
Louisa Nishik, mother of the driver, at Round Plains.
Roland Batton, brother of Howard
Batton, and uncle of Noel Seward, was worthing at the Howard Woodley
farm north of Waterford, when he was informed of the tragedy. The boys
came two years ago from Treharris, South Wales, where their parents now
live.
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The triple funeral held from the
parlors of Mott Bros. in this place on Monday afternoon was a most
impressive one and the largest held here in years.
The whole countryside turned out
in sympathy with those who mourned both here and abroad. Five United
Church ministers took part in the service. Thery were Revs. Guinn and
Wilkins of Waterford, Stevenson of Old Windham, Stokes of Aldershot, and
Wilson of Wilsonville.
Nishik was a member of the Round
Plains Sunday School class, and his former pastor, Rev. Stokes, referred
to him as a most exemplary boy. Batten and Seward were members of Mr.
Ferris' Waterford S.S. class, who were present to do honour to their departed
friends.
The service was really most
solemn and pathetic and the large gathering was deeply moved by the
kindly words expressed by the pastors. It is told that on leaving home
Saturday morning the boys seemed so happy and as they drove away were
singing "Just as I am without one plea." This was sung by the
United choirs of Round Plains and Waterford. Mrs. Guinn sang the
beautiful gospel song "The City Foursquare."
The boys were laid peacefully at
reast in one grave in Greenwood Cemetery.
