MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS DERAILED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1012, 1 July 1911, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS DERAILED.

NO FATALITIES. Wellington, To-day. The Main Trunk express from Auckland reached Wellington at 10 p.m. yesterday, six hours late, as a result of a derailing accident. When running past Tekauwbata station, after leaving Mercer, about 11 p.m., the engine and mail van left the main line, travelling along a siding, apparently as the result of de-fectively-closed points, for the remainder of the train proceeded along the main liue, the result being that four carriages were dragged diagonally across the track. Fortunately the driver shut off steam and made the emergency application ot the Westinghouse brake, pulling up the train in a carriage length, much to the alarm of the passengers. Two windows were broken, but the only passenger injured was a lady whose elbow went through one of the panes. As the rolling stock was not damaged, the passengers were able to remain in the train until the up express arrived about 4 a.m., when they were transferred, and the train diverted to Wellington. The track was badly blocked by the derailed carriages. Owing to the accident the Sydney steamer left Wellington without the northern mails tor Australia and the Continent, which will' be returned to-day to be forwarded from Auckland.