BIG TRAIN SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1928, Page 1

BIG TRAIN SMASH

THIRTY-SIX WAGGONS INVOLVED By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. PUKEIvOHE, June 23. A through goods train, Auckland bound, was derailed shortly after six o’clock this morning, about two miles north'of Pukokohe,

Thirty-three trucks were piled in an indescribable mass. Six trucks laden with cattle were telescoped, a number of animals being killed, and others dyv ing, while a number with broken backs and legs necessitated destruction. One waggon left the rails about a quarter of a mile south of the scone, and was dragged this distance, finally the others telescoping. The railway track is torn up for throe chains, with twisted sleepers. A break-down gang is engaged in extricating the unfold tunate animals. The scene is terrible.

All trains are held up. The ,Wollingtoii-Au.ekliiml ordinary , express preceded the ill-fated goods. Passengers and goods are being trails- j ferred to Pukekohe and Pae-reta. It is ] expected that the line will be cleared j to-night. I In the train smash, thirty-six upturned waggons are involved, some heing on their sides and others on their ends, and more reduced to matchwood. There is an appalling picture, indicating the magnitude of the disaster. The waggon next the engine was of the enclosed type, and' was followed by six waggons, containing 48 oxen. Then came 18 trucks of coal, four trucks of timber, aiid various other truck’s, making a complete train of fifty waggons. Evidently the waggon next the engine caused the disaster. Oyer a quarter of a mile south of the scene, this 'waggon left the line. It then -passed over a small bridge, but in negotiating an gasy bend on to another bridge, over Paerata Creek, Driver Currie, noticing the waggon, applied the brakes, with the result that the following waggons telescoped. The cattle trucks suffered the most, sonic of the animals being killed instantaneously, and a number being preciptated over a ten foot embankment into a swamp, thereby escaping injury. Several cattle were found in a dying condition amongst the wieckage. while several more had broken hacks and legs, and they soon were dispatched bv the police. jn al|, 22 cattle are dead. Coal and timber is ■ strewn in all directions. The whole soenc is one of devastation. Relief gangs were dispatched to the scene immediately to remove the wreck- • age and repair tlie line. Some waggons cannoned into a telephone pole, wrecked the line, and communication with Auckland was interrupted. Every available mode of transport in Pukekohe Was requisitioned by tlie Railway Depai-tment to convey the passengers between Pukekolie and Paerata for north and south. Tho officials consider it will take all ' day to clear the wreckage, and that it -sviil be late to-night before the lino is safe for traffic. ■-