THE RIMUTAKA RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2045, 13 September 1880, Page 3

THE RIMUTAKA RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

PARTICULARS OP THE CATASTROPHE[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIRE.] WELLINGTON, September H. Information was received in town shortly before noon to-day of a most dreadful railway accident on the Wellington-Greytown line. A train left Greytown for Wellington at 830 this morning, and reached Cross’s Creek without mishap. Here one of the Fell engines was put on to push the train up the incline. All went well till reaching a point about half way up the incline named Siberia, when it was found that a strong N.W. gale was blowing, accompanied by terrific gusts. The two passenger carriages, which are said to have been full of passengers, and also a luggage van, wore blown off the line and hurled over a precipice 70ft. in depth. The carriages fell with a fearful crash, but the coupling giving way liberated the falling train, otherwise the engine and brake van must have followed down the embankment. The engine driver and stoker rendered what assistance they could to the unfortunate passengers, while the guard returned to Cross’s Creek to obtain assistance. From Cross’s Creek a telegram ■was sent to Wellington, informing tho station-master of the mishap, whereupon the excitement was intense, as it was known that Saturday trains are generally crowded. The telegrams at first were very meagre, only recording the accident, and that several people were injured. The Minister for Public Works immediately telegraphed for full particulars, and it was not for some two or three hours after that any reliable information came to hand. As to the nature of the injuries received by the passengers, the second telegram brought the sad news that the Misses Pharazyn and Nicholle of Featherston, and Miss Quinn of Greytown had been killed. Previous to this Mr Ashcroft, the stationmaster, with commendable promptitude, made arrangements for a special train to proceed to the scene of the disaster. The special left Wellington at noon, taking Dra. Gillon, Diver, Tripe, and Keateven, A large number of passengers were severely injured. The special will arrive with the wounded to-night, when full particulars will be obtained.