PRINCE’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2147, 8 July 1920, Page 2

PRINCE’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

CAPSIZE OF ROYAL CARRIAGE*

Sydney, July (i.

News has been received from Bridgetown, West Australia, that two of the saloon ears of the Prince of Wales’ train capsized owing to the spreading of the mils. No one

was hurt. Fortunately the train was travelling at only twelve miles an hour, but there was no communication cord, or otherwise the driver would have been notified when the Royal party first felt the train bumping. The accident is attributed to the recent heavy raiij, which softened the lightly-ballasted (rack, and each succeeding carriage caused the earth to collapse and the rails to spread.

Admiral Halsey subsequently stated that it was a mystery that the Prince and himself were not both killed. He had had many narrow escapes, but that was the narrowest.

The Prince impressed all by his coolness throughout. He was quietly smoking amidst the confusion in the upturned (rain, and collecting his belongings when the other passengers came to the res-

When Hit* accident ■ happened, Lord Mount ha (ten jumped from (he ill moving truin and sprinted hack to the Royal ear, now being dragged along on its side. lie shouted, and heard a cheerful voice inside, so he knew they were, all right. The Prince’s valet also raced up and lowered himself through the carriage window. He found the Prince and Admiral Halsey calmly collecting their gear. Lord Mounlbatten asked the Prince: ‘‘Are you hurt?” and the Prince laughingly replied: “No, make no blessed fuss about me.

Are the rest 0.K.?” When he was assured that no one was seriously hurt, he said: “Then I’ll collect my gear.” lie was chiefly concerned about a favourite pipe Avhich was lost among his smashed belongings, but be managed to find it. By the lime the Prince had finished getting his things together, the inmates of the other cars collected 7'ound (he Royal ear, and when the Prince put his head through the window he was greeted with genuine cheers of delight. The first thing Jin said, laughing gleefully, was; “Anyway, at last we have done a thing that is not on the official programme!” He continued joking about the accident, and asking about the others.

Perth, July (i. f At the time of the mishap, th Prince and a large Ministerial party were proceeding on the western tour. The accident occurred at a sharp bend in the line ten. miles from Bridgetown. In the afternoon a pilot engine preceding the Royal train passed safely, but the weight of the Royal train gradually spread the rails of the narrow line until, when the rear carriages reached them they were too wide to carry them. News of the accident was rigidly suppressed, until the train readied Bridgetown, and Admiral Halsey sent out au olliciai statement.

The Prince received a groat ovation, and many congratulations on his escape, on arrival at Bridgetown, and messages of congratulation are now pouring upon him from all (|iiarters. All those who were in the derailed Poyal and Ministerial ears received a shock, and some cuts and bruises, except the Prince, who is absolutely unhurt, ami is apparently suffering little from the

shaking