MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1978, 17 May 1919, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

FURTHER DETAILS. The train consisted of thirty-two wagons. It left Ohakune at 5 p.m, on Wednesday for Taihapc, and at about 9 p.m., while going down a sharp decline between Ngarukehu and Alalaroa, it got out of control, leaped the rails, ami shot over into a gully. Over thirty wagons piled on top of the engine.

Driver AValsh and Fireman Aim Ken/.ie wore taken to the Taihapc Hospital, where the former died at 3 a.m.

Taihapc, Alay 15.

The scene of Hie crash reminds one of a huge pile of refuse limber at a forsaken sawmill, spiked here and there with protruding wheels and pieces of iromvork. The force to cause such a heaping and scattering is reflected in the hugeness of Hie pile and the distance the wreckage is thrown, pieces of iron two indies in diameter being hurled sev-enty-live .yards away. Serious as Hie smash is, it magiit have proved incalculably worse.

ll appears Hint Guard Butty bad received instructions [o proceed ahcacVof the express, nnd hnd passed Hie tablet to the engine-driver, when lie heard Hie Ngarukchu station telephone persistently ringing. No attendant being there, he answered and received instructions not to proceed, as it might delay the express.

By this piece of good fortune a greater catastrophe was averted, as (he oncoming express undoubtedly would have dashed into Hie mass of wreckage, which of at least twentv (rucks.

Enginedriver Walsh suffered a terrible death, being pinned down where a jet of leaking steam played upon him. When rescued he was slid conscious, though scalded beyond all hope of recovery. He behaved with admirable bravery and stoicism, merely asking that he be given a stimulant. The inquest was opened to-day, and adjourned for a week.