SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2666, 23 October 1882, Page 3

SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

i PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, October 22,

Alarming rumors prevailed in the city last night with regard to a railway accident which occurred near Blaeskio, about seventeen miles from Dunedin. These rumors were that the Christchurch express had gone over the cliffs into the sea, and that there had been a collision between the passenger trains, and {that number* of people were killed and seriously hurt. The facts, as ascertainable this morning, show that these rumor* were greatly exaggerated, and the correct particular* of the affair are as follows :—The 4.15 p.m. train from town to Oomaru had reached the bottom of the incline, within a quarter of a mile of Blneskin station, when the engine ran off the line. This was just before reaching the Waitati bridge, and between the embankments. The engine immediately struck one side of the embankment and turned on its side, being very seriously damaged. The goods van next to the engine is broken to piece*. There were five passenger coaches, containing probably eighty passengers. The coaches are all badly wrecked, but the principal accidents to life or limb are three, namely, a passenger named JGuy, employed in the Dunedin goods shed, badly out on the temple. He is now in the Dunedin Hospital, but is not expected to be dangerously hurt. A woman was cut about the bead through being propelled through one of the carriage window*. A man was somewhat severely hurt about the leg. Dr. Maunsell went in a special train from Dunedin to attend to the injured. The express passenger* were transferred, and got into Dunedin about ten. The passengers by the wrecked train were all sent on. The effects of the accident are miraculously slight. Fifteen yard* further and the engine would have gone over the Waitati bridge, when probably the most serious railway accident that ever occurred here would have had to be chronicled. The engine driver and fireman jumped off and escaped almost unhurt. Why the engine left the rails is quite unknown at present. It is possible that some of the engine gear broke and got bsnoath the wheels, or the line may have been damaged at the spot, or something may have got acres* the line, but at present all is conjecture. Doubtless a departmental inquiry will be held. The passenger* on board describe the affair as being over in a moment. There was a jerk as the engine left the rails, and another as it struck the bank ; after that all was confusion, and everybody was thrown off their seats and against each other. The express luggage has not yet reached Dunedin, Specials were run last night for the [passengers, and another goes out this afternoon.