THE MAIN TRUNK SMASH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 199, 17 May 1919, Page 8

THE MAIN TRUNK SMASH

CLEARING THE WRECK

MYSTERY OF RUNAWAY STILL UNSOLVED (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Ohakune, May IG. More than half the wreckage caused by Wednesday night's goods train disaster along tho Main Trunk line has teen cleared, but the bigg-eat job will be the raising of the disabled engine. The big staffs of men employed in clearing tho railroad aro working most effectively under the direction of Mr. O'Loughlin, inspector of permanent ways, anil as soon as the damaged rolling stock has been cleared repairs to the permanent way will be undertaken. Through traffic without transhipment should be resumed at tho beginning of next week. The cause of the disaster still romnins a mystery, as the only two who can throw miy light on the matter aro too ill at Taihape. Guard Batty is in a state of collapse, and is ouite unable to make any statement. , Tne fireman, J. M'Kenna, is likewise in a very bad condition, owing to the terrible experience ho, had with his mate, the late Driver Walsh, during that five miles' thrilling, ride, and subsequently, when he was badly burned by escaping steam and boiling water. The shock to his system has bean very great, but hopes are entertained that he will recover. At present bis vitality is low. Passengers, mails, and luggage are being transferred most expeditiously from one train to tho other. The work this morning with the south-bound - passengers from Auckland was carried out within an lionr.

The econe of the tragic occurrence is being visited bv quite a large number of people, and great astonishment is expressed at the way in which ■ huge wagons loaded with coal and timber were somersaulted over the engine. Another remarkable circumstance is the manner which the runaway train kept on tho road while negotiating tha Horseshoe and other acute bends between Ngaurukehu and the cutting where tne derailment took place. Tho authorities cannot understand the failure of the air brakes. That mystery may be 6olved at tne inmiirv. , , The bodr of Driver T. Walsh was taken to Palmerston to-nipM, «n route to Masterton. fe v interment.