TRAIN ACCIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1928, Page 3

TRAIN ACCIDENT

A NUALBER INJURED. By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. GISBORNE. A lay 18. It is repotted that a train accident happened on the Gisboruc-Alotu railwav line near Bakauroa this evening, and that several persons are injured. A relief train, conveying a doctor and nurses, left Gisborne at 10 o’clock but its return is not expected until the enrlv hours.

Eleven pasengers out of 25 who were aboard when the train left Gisborne yesterday afternoon for Motuhora were injured in an accident on Otokp Hill about 8 o’clock last night. Generally the injuries were of minor nature, but two men were brought hack to Gisborne and admitted to Cook Hospital at 3.30 a.m. The names of the worst cases are:—

R. Whitson, of 13 Norman Avenue, Remuera. Auckland, engineer: ruptured vein on hip. facial injuries, and concussion. V

A. J. Campbell, of Opotiki, settler concussion and minor injuries.

F. W. Marshall, of Patutahi, badly jarred and abrasions on right knee'. G. A. Ross, 31 Lyndhurst Street, Gisborne, slight bruise on bead. P. Tl. Whittington, of Motu, slight bruises on left hip.

Harry Maxwell, 13 Stanley Road Gisborne, cuts on lip.

V. P. Fredericks, of Rnkauroa slight bruise on bead. V. Oman, Grey Lynn, Auckland abrasions of left leg.

Mrs V. P. Fredericks, of Rakauron. ruptured muscles of left sliouldei. Mrs It. J. Climo, of Motuhora. cuts on head and bruised left log.

Mrs T. L. Barker, of Motuhora, ruptured muscles of back. The mishap was due to the heavy rain and consequent greasy nature of the rails. All went well as far as Otoko Hill, which has been the cause of frequent trouble to the Railway Department. the train comprised four trucks laden with general merchandise, cars, etc two passenger carriages, and a guard’s van. The engine driver made strenuous efforts for three quarters of an liour to ascend the hill and it was then decided to follow the practice and divide the train. The engine of W2 class drawing four trucks, reached the top of the hill and left the trucks there, and then descended tor the carriages and guard’s van. Coming down the"hill again the wheels of the engine would not grip on the greasy rails despite the fact that the driver applied the brakes, and the engine crashed, hunker first into the leading stationing

carnage. . The guard of the tram was A. I . Baird, and the driver, D. J. Pernliertliy. It was a terrible shock for the passengers, who were thrown in jumbled heaps about the carriage. The lights immediately went out, and the shrieking of women and children added to the general panic. A moment previously they had been chaffing one another about the long wait. The next moment was all confusion. Gradually order was restored and the true ‘ -state of affairs revealed. Fortunately for the passengers the brakes of the carriages had been securely locked and they held against the strain of the engine’s crash. Had the brakes given way (since the smash occurred some distance up lull) be carriages would have swept downhill anil probably jumped the rails, bringing about a far more terrible smash. The foremost carriage was buckled throughout its length and the forward Uniform was almost flattened up a.cainst the carriage end. J he eudonce of the buckling was given In the smashing of the wash-basin in the centre of the carriage and pnrtiall> squeezing together of the seats. The r-a <Uri»ge m not ««»«■ -J*

so much, but its occupants suffered in hardly a less degree than those of the first carriage. The front of the engine suffered flight damage, -being badly dented and having some heavy couplings snapped. Airs Vivian Oman, of Auckland, came in for special -praise front all the passengers for her work after the crash. Relief gangs were despatched from Rakanroa and a train sent out from Gisborne with doctor and nurses, the scone of tho accident being reached at 11.30 o’clock. Everything possible was done to relieve the sufferers. Before the arrival of the relic! train, the first carriage had been taken back to Bakauroa. by the original engine. A relief engine on arrival pushed tho remainder of the train to Bakauroa and then took all except the badly injured carriages on to Afotuhora, while the damaged engine came hack to town with the relief party and the injured, Campbell and AVhitson, who were taken to the hospital.