TIMBER TRAIN OVER BANK

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1920, Page 1

TIMBER TRAIN OVER BANK

A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. SYDNEY, Nov. 16. An explanation of the very horrible accident which occurred last week in West Australia, when a heavy timber train crashed over an embankment, and eleven of the men who were riding on the logs were killed and terribly mangled, was given on Saturday by tlie engine-driver, who was liot seriously in-

jured. “Just before we started from the camp, after dark, the guard came along and said that lie had six brakes down. I remarked to .him that everything seemed all right, but it would be as well for him to stand by and put on more brakes should I whistle. Everything went well until we were perhaps a mile arid three-quarters from the camp, and then I found that on the incline the load was beginning to push me, and I blew the whistle for the brakes. This was about half a mile before the spot where before going over oil to the steep grade we always pull up and put down the brakes.

“On this occasion the train would not slow up sufficiently to allow the guard to get out and put on the brakes. Then while I was still trying to pull up, wc

passed the spot where we generally stop. I said, ‘Good God, she’s pushed us over the knob.’ " The train had gathered speed twofold then, and some of those who knew something was amiss jumped off. I decided to stick to the engine in the hojie that the guard could get the brakes' down;' We rattled along for a time, and I had the lever against the engine in the hope that that'would act as an additional brake. I had sand on the line, too, to make hei grip, but I found that the engine was jumping so much with the weight behind her that I put it back into the

forward, position. When I began to fear the engine would leave the line I cnlled to my fireman to stand in the gateway and get ready to jump, but not to jump until the engine left the rails. A little later on we came towards the curve in the blackness of the night. I felt the tender in front of the engine heel over, and then X was thrown out as from a catapult. I seemed to be an immense time flying through the air, after which I hit the ground and rolled for some yards. When I was rolling I felt as if something very strong was pushing me along. I seemed to hear some sleepers crashing past me. After that everything became a blank.”