STRUCTURE COLLAPSE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1920, Page 2

STRUCTURE COLLAPSE

- ’ tV ALLSEND-TAYLOR V IDLE BRIDGE. Sliopt|y after spvep o’clock 0,1 Saturday, evening, says the Grey “Argus,’ the swing bridge which spans the Grey River from Wall send to Taylorville showed signs of collapsing. The bridge is supported by wire cables bedded in two sets of concrete anchors on each hank of the.river, and it appears that one of the anchors, on the Wallsend side, had aHowcd water to enter it, an gradually eat away the cable which passes through it. The result was that when the cable snapped it pulled me exposed part of Die. anchor away, and for over an it lay alongside the

railway line. At the time of the first break a man named J. Hart, of Taylorville, was crossing over tjj the Wallsend side, carrying with him one or two parcels. The result of the break had been -to twist tiie structure over on its side; hut in spite of this dangerous position Hart managed to crawl along the wire repos to safety, minus liis pipe. The second break occurred about ten minutes before the train from Greymouth to Blackball reached the spot, and this time the rods connecting the cable to the footwalk gave way and the bridge fell into the river below The concrete anchor was dragged across the railway line and with the overhead geai. formed an impassable harrier Warning was given to the oncoming train by means of detonators placed along the line, and the use of red lights. Further progress by train was found to he impossible and cars were requisitioned from Blackball, by telephone. By this means the passengers aboard the train were epahled' to proceed to their destinations..

The train returned to Greymouth at 1 a.m. yesterday, bringing hack the railway officials whp had proceeded to the scene of the collapse, also a jew of the passengers who had waited no doubt with t)|e anticipation of being able to proceed homeward by trainA train left Grey mouth yesterday morning with a relief gang aboard, and by the early afternoon the permanent way hacl helm cleared of the blockage making it possible for a resumption of the ordinary train service to-day,

It was indeed fortunate that the Otira express had passed the spot before the first break occurred, as otherwse the low-lying cable might have proved a dangerous obstacle to the oncoming train. The collapse of the bridge will mean no |ittle iucoii veil fence lo people living on the Taylorville side of tlu; river, Ajj the structure was the main means of communication with- this side, and persons wishing to leave Taylorville "ill have to walk some considerable distance to the railway bridge, which connects the Brunner mine up with toe township.

The Wallsoml-Taylorville swing bridge is owned hv the borough of Brunner, and as its repair will cost over £2OOO, it will mean'll severe ’ hardship on the not too-richly endowed mining borough.