SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1924, Page 4

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT

DERAILED TRAIX CROSSES BRIDGE.

A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. BLENHEIM, Nov. 3. Details of the accident to the Blenheim 'Ward train show that although the mishap was fortunately unattended hv even minor casualties it was probably one of the most sensational in the history of New Zealand railways. The bridge, which was the scene of the accident is about GOft. long and crosses the Seventeen Creek at a height of about lift. The creek was in high Hood at the time and had undermined one of the central piers on which the bridge rests. There was nothing to indicate that the bridge was unsafe, but immediately it felt the weight of the 40-ton locomotive the whole super-structure buckled, and the front wheels of the locomotive left the rails.

It is nothing short of marvellous that the whole train did not plunge into the boiling torrent below, but the engine miraculously continued its journey, the front wheels apparently travelling across the sleepers, while the hack wheels hung to the rails. In this manner the engine humped its way to the comparative safety of the solid ground beyond the bridge and drew the whole train off the bridge before finally leaping at right angles from the twisted track and plunging headlong down a nine foot hank, where il now lies with its cowcatcher and trout buried deeply in the earth. As the locomotive took its leap at right angles to tin* track the heavy couplings fastening it to the train fortunately snapped like a carrot and the derailed cars were left standing upright on the track instead of being dragged down the bank at the tail of the wrecked engine, ’ibis fact- undoubtedly accounts for there being no casualties among the* few passengers that the train contained.

The engine driver. Mr A. S. Clinch and the fireman, Mr C. L. Y. M ortliington, stuck to their engine throughout the mishap and did everything possible to avert disaster, shutting off steam and applying the emergency brakes when the engine appeared as il it would plunge into the stream below. They were still in the cab when the engine dived down the hank and had the good fortune to escape even without a scratch.

In conversation with a reporter this morning the guard, Mr h ranee, said the jar felt at the hack of the train as the engine left the rails was not very severe, and the passengers were hardly aware that anything serious had occurred until the train came to a standstill with the danger passed, lie summed up the whole incident with the phrase that everyone, aboard was extremely lucky. It- is anticipated that there will be considerable difficulty in again getting the locomotive on to the track, and it may have to be dismantled. 'file BictoiiAYliaranui railway section Inis been extremely fortunate in its freedom from mishaps. The last serious accident occurred on May iMt.h. 1011, when during a heavy Hood a train from I’icton to 'Blenheim ran into a slip near I’ara. the engine and one truck being derailed. In this case, too. no one was injured, but thirty passengers had to spend the night in the cars under dreadful weather conditions.