MAIL TRAIN DERAILED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 857, 25 June 1910, Page 3

MAIL TRAIN DERAILED.

MIRACULOUS KSC A PR,

The Wellington-New Plymouth mail train met with an accident at Koputaroa yesterday morning, which necessitated a delay of some three and a-half hours.

The engine and two carriages left the line.

None of the passengers were injured, but considerable damage was done to the rolling stock.

An emergency train left Palmerston, in charge of Guard Baylis of Foxton, for the scene of the accident, and brought the passengers down. Our representative arrived on the scene by the WellingtonAuckland express. Prior to the train arriving at the scene of the accident the guard informed the passengers of what had occurred, and said they would have to tranship to another train on the north side of the scene of the accident.

After leaving Levin the guard informed the passengers that a temporary track had been laid by a relief gang and the Auckland express would be able to pass through. The express slowed up when approaching Koputaroa and announced its coming by a series of whistles. A large gang of men were in evidence busily engaged in completing the temporary track which curved round the derailed engine and tender and two badly smashed carriages. The permanent way was badly torn up where the engine had ploughed through and spread the lines. The engine was embedded and down on one side and the huge tender had telescoped into it. Two carriages were badly damaged, the front of one being smashed to matchwood. The effect of the compact could be guaged by the fact that one of the chairs in a first-class compartment was wrenched out of position and broken.

From what our reporter could gather it is alleged that the points were left unlocked and as the express came through the lines spread and the cab and two carriages telescoped. Our informant said that had not the train slowed down to allow a passenger to alight, one of the most serious accidents ever recorded in the history of our railways would have resulted. We leave our readers to imagine what really would have occurred had the express entered those open points say at a speed of 30 miles an hour. Two passengers were shot off the train by the effect of the collision and a number were thrown about, but beyond a scare none of the passengers were hurt. The driver and fireman had narrow escapes.

All trains are now passing through and the permanent way will be fully repaired by Monday. The damage done to the rolling stock is pretty considerable. The officials are very reticent and a full enquiry is to be held.