THE FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6505, 2 January 1882, Page 5

THE FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

[Pas Fbsbs Absdctatiok.] BALCLUTHA, D«C. 3L As the 4.40 train from Balclntha to Clinton retched Etahikn bridge, t hone was teen on the line, bat too late to atop the tain. The hone was caught by the cowcatcher and carried some ten yards, when the engine ran off the line and down an embankment ten feet deep. The driver at once dint off steam and ran off the water. The train consisted of 15 trucks and a Tan, engine and tender; «»*d .seven trucks tan off. The side of theHne. Stoker Jan**, y&K&oOok was found lying under the tender must have been instantaneous. James Blackwood, the water-pumper at Waiwera, was canght by the foot between the engine and tender. Every exertion was made to release him, but the task was not accomplished until late in the craning. Bo one else was hurt. Bie rails are considerably twisted, and the engine is also much damagedj but the trucks an apparently not much injnrsd. The accident happened at 6.30 p.m. There wen only three passengers by the tnin, and they •soaped without injury. Mr Chisholm, Inspector of the Permanent 'Way, arrived at 8.45 p.m. and proceeded to dear the line. Lateb. The line was cleared and ready for traffic at 4.o’clock this morning. The damage to the line and rolling stock proved comparatively trifling. James Blackwood has a leg broken. An inquest on the body of Woodcock was opened today. After viewing the body the inquest was adjourned till Tuesday. He was the only son of a widow and only 21 years of age.