Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 01 November 1941

Two Hurt in Crossing Crash

Engine Hits Car at Wath

All that was left of the car after the collision.

Two people were seriously injured on Monday afternoon at Wath when the car in which they were travelling between Wath and Mexborough came into collision with a locomotive at a level crossing. James Bashforth (66), of Rose Bungalow, Briggs Lane, Clarborough, near Retford, driver of the car, sustained injuries to the face, hand and arm, and shock, and his wife, Elizabeth ‘ Bashforth (64), sustained head injuries, a suspected fracture of the jaw and severe shock.

Both were admitted to the Montagu Hospital and detained. It appears that the car, proceeding from Wath towards Mexboro’, had negotiated the level crossing over the Mexborough to Barnsley L.N.E.R. line at Wath Staithes, and the collision occurred at a point in Doncaster Road, some thirty yards farther on where a level crossing connects the colliery sidings of Manvers Main No. 3 and No. 4 pit yards. When shunting is in progress two flag-men warn road traffic at this point and the men were in position and attempted to stop the car. It proceeded, however, and was struck broadside by a locomotive which was hauling three loaded wagons and was carried nearly 30 yards on the buffers, being completely wrecked. After first aid treatment on the spot the injured were taken by ambulance to Mexborough Hospital.

A message informing him of the accident was immediately sent by the police to Mr. and Mrs. Bashforth’s son who is serving in the Army.