BLOWN OFF LINE

Evening Star, Issue 22464, 8 October 1936, Page 8

BLOWN OFF LINE

RAILCAR CRASHES IN GALE THREE BADLY INJURED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 8. The 8.40 a.m. railcar from Masterton, with 26 passengers on board, was blown off the lino about 200yds from the Pigeon Bush station this morning. A very heavy g’alo was blowing at Featherston, and all railway telegraph lines were down. Three people were very badly injured and were sent to hospital, and quite a number had cuts and abrasions. The lino was clear at 9.45. Arrangements wero made for tho passengers to be brought on to Wellington by steam train. GUT BY FLYING GLASS CAR REELS IN TERRIFIC GUST [Pee United Press Association.] CARTERTON, October 8. Three passengers were seriously hurt, suffering a broken leg, a broken arm, and a. broken rib. Two others were less seriously hurt, while many suffered cuts from flying glass and bruises. The wind struck the car all the way from Carterton, but though it rocked considerably, there was no thought of it overturning. When it was approaching a breakwind a tremendous gust burst on the car, which reeled over. The passengers were taken back to Featherston, where the injured received medical attention. A second railcar was delayed at Carterton and the passengers were taken by bus to Featherston, where the journey was continued! over the hill by steam train. KEELED SLOWLY OVER FRONT SECTION OF GAR ESCAPES [Per United Press Association.] CARTERTON, October 8. The persons seriously injured are: — Miss G. Knott, 26 Kuripuni street, Masterton, fractured ribs and right arm. Mrs Hume, Short street, Masterton, fractured right arm and ribs. Mr K. Collett, N.Z.R., Marten, fractured ribs. Others less seriously hurt are:—A. S. Humber, South road, Masterton, cuts on tho left leg. Miss Biela Phillips, 103 Bentley street, Masterton, right and middle finger injured. Mrs A. H. Bull, Grey town, cuts on the face. Mrs M Moss, 20 Walton Avenue, Masterton, cuts on the neck and face. Miss Hedley, Gordon street, Lansdowne, cut nose. There were 26 passengers in all, and most of the remainder continued the journey to Wellington in a steam train. The driver and guards stated that the front section of the carriage escaped without injury. The passengers report that the car was travelling comfortably, and without warning slowly keeled over, subsiding at tho side of the rails. There was little panic, and order was soon restored. The railcar was not badly smashed." Mr G. H. Mackley, General Manager, considers it a great tribute to the construction of the car that it sustained so little real damage. Mr G. T. Wilson, transportation superintendent, was also on the scene. The injured were conveyed to Dr Sharp’s private hospital at Featherston. Those least injured were returned to their homes. Tho gale is still raging at Featherston, though it is calm at Carterton. AH EXPOSED SPOT SCENE OF EARLIER DERAILMENT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, .October 8. Every window on the left-hand side of the car was shattered, while damage was sustained to the undercarriage, and body. The passengers were thrown about in wild confusion, and two women suffered broken collarbones and arms. The guard (Seager) assisted the injured, and then went to a nearby phone, and a doctor was soon on the scene. There were 24 passengers, including several children, in the railcar at the time of the smash, but all remained calm throughout the trying experience. The passengers had to be extricated from the damaged car through the driver’s entrance, and they were taken to Featherston by cars. The driver of tho railcar, V. Schroder, suffered a few cuts from flying glass when his compartment struck the iron pole. The scene of the accident is near a spot where a steam train with several carriages was blown off the rails some years ago.